Athens now has more than 900 confirmed cases of COVID 19: the Georgia Department of Public Health puts the four-month total at 939, with still 15 deaths from coronavirus in Clarke County. Oconee County has added three coronavirus deaths over the past week, bringing its total to 13, with now 239 confirmed cases of COVID 19 since tracking began in March.
Athens’ mask mandate enters its first full week, with masks now required in most indoor places in Athens with an ordinance approved by Athens-Clarke County Commissioners last week. Augusta has joined the growing list of Georgia cities that are also making masks mandatory.
There is talk of a delay in the start of the new school year for the Clarke County School District: students and teachers are, for now, due back in classrooms on August 3; there is a move to push that date back until September 8, the Tuesday after Labor Day. Those expressing concerns about the August start of the new school year amid spikes in Athens’ coronavirus case count include Clarke County School Board member Antwon Stephens.
Gainesville is in line for more than $1 million in federal coronavirus relief funding: money will go to the Georgia Mountains Regional Development Commission, which serves thirteen counties in northeast Georgia.
City Hall in Flowery Branch reopens today: it was closed after five Flowery Branch government workers tested positive for coronavirus.
MARTA changes course: Atlanta’s transit agency first said masks would not be required; now MARTA says masks will be mandatory on its trains and buses.
The Georgia Department of Public Health says the state has topped the 3,000 mark in the number of deaths from coronavirus. The state’s case count has climbed past 16,000.
Cox Media Group