ATLANTA — Here’s a roundup of what’s happening so far today, May 21: (Click here for the previous day)
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- The state’s number of confirmed COVID-19 cases is up to 40,663 and 1,775 deaths as of 7 p.m. Wednesday. The Georgia Department of Public Health says it will update its website with new data at 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
- In an afternoon news conference, Gov. Brian Kemp said the state reached a new milestone Thursday in the fight against coronavirus, with hospitalizations for virus falling below 1,000 for the first time since May 1.
- Georgia’s unemployment rose to a record high in April. The state’s unemployment rate now stands at nearly 12 percent. Just a year ago it was 3.6 percent.
- Vice President Mike Pence is coming to metro Atlanta on Friday. The vice president is expected to arrive at about 11 and will visit the Waffle House Headquarters while he is here. Stay with Channel 2 Action News for traffic updates during his visit.
- Scientists at Emory University have discovered that many patients hospitalized with COVID-19 develop antibodies within six days of testing positive. The news is key toward developing a vaccine for the virus and treatments for those who are infected.
- More than 2.4 million people applied for U.S. unemployment benefits last week in the latest wave of layoffs from the viral outbreak that triggered widespread business shutdowns. Roughly 38.6 million people have now filed for jobless aid in the last 9 weeks.
- A second allotment of remdesivir is headed to 29 Georgia hospitals and will treat more than 300 patients. A third allotment is expected to arrive by Friday.
- Clayton County Public Schools and Cobb County Schools announced Thursday they will continue to serve free meals to students in both districts through the summer.
- CVS opens 23 new drive-thru testing sites in Georgia. Here’s a list of all the new locations.
- Starting Friday, all Goodwill shoppers will be required to wear a face covering or mask that covers the mouth and nose at all times.
- The City of Tucker is opening both its city pools for the summer season on Memorial Day weekend.
- The Georgia High School Association will reopen sports activities June 8. Teams and athletes can resume voluntary conditioning workouts under a coach’s supervision.
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