CORONAVIRUS IN GEORGIA: What’s happening today -- April 7

Here’s a roundup of what’s happening so far today, April 7: (Click here for the previous day)

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

• There are now 9,156 confirmed cases of coronavirus with 348 deaths in Georgia. At least 1,899 cases required hospitalization. The number of cases are up from 7,558 and 294 deaths Monday night.
• At least 10 people have died from the coronavirus at one Athens nursing home, officials confirmed Tuesday. The patients were residents at PruittHealth Grandview.
• Channel 2 Action News and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution have obtained emails that shows more details about the state’s plan to turn the Georgia World Congress Center into a massive hospital if coronavirus overwhelms area emergency rooms.
• Tyler Perry has once again stepped up to help the Atlanta community. The movie mogul left a $500 tip for every single out-of-work server at Houston’s restaurant on Northside Parkway on Sunday. That’s a grand total of $21,000.
• Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has announced new usage guidelines for the Atlanta BeltLine. From 6 a.m. - 10 a.m. each day will be priority time for older adults and those with compromised health conditions. From 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. will be meant for daily exercise. And after 2 p.m., will be for people using the BeltLine for work travel, groceries or to get medicine.

• The DPH does not track the number of recoveries because it cannot accurately quantify the number at this time. Here’s why it is difficult.
• The Georgia Department of Education has gotten approval to waive testing requirements for the rest of the school year. Final grades will be determined by each local district. Read more here.
• Kroger will begin today to limit the number of customers allowed in their stores at one time to allow for proper physical distancing in every store. The amount of customers will be based on the square-footage of each store.
• Kroger isn’t the only store that will limit customers. Click here for the full list.
• Piedmont Hospital announced its new Buckhead tower will open next week on April 13. The three specialized floors opening four months early can provide as many as 132 additional beds during pandemic.
• New CVS drive-thru testing center is open on Georgia Tech’s officials. People cannot just show up for testing. You have to fill out a registration form before arriving.
• Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced essential workers will continue to receive hazard pay through June 30.
• Georgia Power announced that they will continue to suspend disconnections past the original 30 days the company planned.
• Arthur Blank and Mercedes-Benz Stadium will extend COVID-19 relief efforts to associates through a $1 million fund.

Coronavirus: One man?s journey from the ICU to overcoming the virus Chip Burger spoke with Channel 2 anchor Jorge Estevez about his sickness and now recovery from the virus that continues to spread throughout the world.

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