CORONAVIRUS IN GEORGIA: What’s happening today - April 10, 2020

Here’s a roundup of what’s happening so far today, April 10: (Click here for the previous day)

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[SPECIAL SECTION --> Latest on coronavirus in Georgia and around the world]

• Gov. Brian Kemp is giving some insight into what it will take to get Georgia back to normal following the coronavirus pandemic. Channel 2 anchor Jorge Estevez spoke to Kemp about when he thinks the state will reach its peak for coronavirus cases and what it would take for him to lift the shelter-in-place restrictions.
• As of 7 p.m. Friday, there are now 11,859 confirmed cases of coronavirus with 425 deaths in Georgia. The youngest person to die from COVID-19 complications is now a 27-year-old Lee County woman who had no underlying health conditions.
• A picture taken Wednesday shows a MARTA bus with passengers jammed inside, making social distancing impossible. We spoke with MARTA about changes they’ve made to address safety concerns, after getting some disturbing messages sent to our station.
• Homeowners and renters who live in properties with government-backed loans might see a reprieve during the COVID-19 pandemic, but many are worried what will happen to them after life returns to normal. The CARES Act is providing relief to people who’ve lost their jobs during this crisis, but experts say there are strings attached.
• The Georgia Department of Labor says it processed more claims last week than were processed during the entire year of 2019. The GDOL announced the agency processed 390,132 claims during the week of March 29 through April 4, more than three times what was processed the week before.
• School districts are making changes to their digital learning plans. Cobb County and Gwinnett County schools announced that digital learning will happen Monday-Thursdays. No new assignments will be given on Fridays, so students can use that day to catch up on assignments.
• City of College Park have adopted a hazard pay policy for front line public safety and public works employees. The policy goes into effect immediately and will help 150 essential employees. The hazard pay is a supplement to an employees base pay, and will range from $250 - $500 dollars per month. The payments will remain in place until June 30th.
• Georgia Natural Gas is donating $200,000 to support COVID-19 relief efforts. It’s part of $2.5 million donation by Southern Company gas.

Record unemployment recorded in Georgia amid coronavirus outbreak Several companies in the metro area, however, are hiring right now.

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