CORONAVIRUS IN GEORGIA: Some businesses reopen across the state

ATLANTA — Here’s a roundup of what’s happening so far today, April 24: (Click here for the previous day)

Watch Channel 2 Action News for the latest coronavirus coverage. Get extended coverage on the free WSB Now app on your Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV.

• As of 7 p.m. Friday, there were 22,491 confirmed cases, 899 deaths and 4,322 total hospitalizations in Georgia.
• Phase 1 of Georgia reopening started today. Salons, spas and gyms are among the nonessential businesses that can reopen.
• Pres. Trump called out Gov. Brian Kemp in a tweet Friday morning. It is the 3rd day in a row he has blasted Kemp for his plans to reopen Georgia.
• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services today announced the Georgia Department of Public Health will receive $16.4 million to enhance testing capacity, conduct contact tracing, and protect high-risk populations.
• Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms appeared on Good Morning America Friday to discuss the state’s reopening play. “What I believe is that there are some who are willing to sacrifice lives for the sake of the economy. That’s unacceptable to me," Bottoms said.
• New testing sites are now open across Georgia: Greenbriar Mall, Georgia State University Blue Parking, Kennesaw State University Parking Deck, Clayton State Parking Deck (City of Morrow), Decatur Armory, M.E. Lewis Elementary School and Colquitt Regional Medical Center just to name a few. For a full list, click here.
• Fulton County expanded COVID-19 testing, with plans to serve more than 50,000 patients in the coming months at three sites by appointment only: Wolf Creek Amphitheater, Fulton County Airport and 4700 North Point Parkway,
• The Family Health Centers of Georgia in the West End is offering free testing for anyone who lives in metro Atlanta. For more information, call 1-800-935-6721.
• Douglas County announced Friday that all walking trails and disc golf courses will reopen on Friday, May 1 at noon but everyone should practice social distancing.
• Goldman Sachs has committed $10 million as part of its 10,000 Small Businesses initiative to loans for small businesses in Atlanta. These loans, made through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), are an option for small businesses and non-profits that have been unable to submit a PPP application through another lending institution.
• Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms launched a City of Atlanta Senior Food Assistance program to support senior citizens who are experiencing food shortage.
• Atlanta Public Schools has announced that they will hold virtual graduations in may, traditional ceremonies later.

Atlanta mayor says legal team is looking into Kemp?s decision to reopen Ga. businesses Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms thought it was too soon to allow some of the businesses to reopen.

© 2020 Cox Media Group