Local

CORONAVIRUS IN GEORGIA: Live updates on what’s happening today

GEORGIA — Here’s a roundup of what’s happening so far today, March 21: (Click here for the previous day)

We’ll bring you LIVE updates every hour on Channel 2 Action News. Get extended coverage on the free WSB Now app on your Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV.

[MORE: Special section on the latest on coronavirus in Georgia]

[DOWNLOAD: WSB-TV app for breaking news alerts sent to your phone]

  • The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Georgia is now 555 with 20 deaths, up from 485 cases and 14 deaths as of 7 p.m. on Friday.
  • Georgia’s Department of Corrections says three offenders that were housed at Lee State Prison in Leesburg, Ga. tested positive for COVID-19.
  • Gov. Brian Kemp has announced a 60-day extension for many Georgians with a driver’s license and/or ID Card nearing expiration. All Department of Driver Services (DDS) licensing centers statewide are closed through March 31 2020.
  • Vice President Mike Pence says he and his wife will be tested for the coronavirus Saturday afternoon, after one of his staff members tested positive for the virus.
  • Dougherty County in Albany is under a shelter-in-place order because of the number of coronavirus cases there.
  • A 12-year-old girl is hospitalized in metro Atlanta with coronavirus, family members told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  • The DeKalb County Clerk of Superior Court’s office is closed until April 13 after an employee tested positive for the virus there.
  • Updated numbers of coronavirus cases in Georgia are released at 12 p.m. and 7 p.m. daily.
  • State Senator Kay Kirkpatrick announced on Facebook she is the 2nd Georgia senator to test positive for the virus.
  • On Saturday morning, Atlanta police announced an officer who works in the Atlanta Police Department headquarters has tested positive for COVID-19. This is the first confirmed case within the department. Official said it wouldn’t affect police operations.
  • Tybee Island and several Georgia beaches are now closed to keep crowds from mingling.

[Atlanta police chief says half a dozen officers out sick, unknown if its related to coronavirus]

  • Gwinnett County is cracking down on large gatherings after young people were spotted flooding local parks.
  • MARTA says as of Friday, rail ridership is down 58 percent and bus ridership is down 41 percent from last month. “With lower ridership, social distancing is possible for riders traveling to/from essential work and activities. For those of you who rely on us, MARTA will be here,” it said in a statement.
  • Goodwill announced it will close all stores across the state for the next two weeks.
  • The City of Chamblee is the latest to join a long list of cities prohibiting in-person dining and groups of more than 10 people.