Steady rise of coronavirus cases, deaths in Georgia

Church members practice social distancing and stand in their pews for the alter call while worshiping at the Union Springs Baptist Church on Sunday, March 29, 2020, in Rutledge, Ga. Pastor Robert L. Terrell spoke to the congregation on how to worship while keeping social distance and two nurses met worshipers as they entered the church taking temperatures to keep the congregation healthy. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP) Church members practice social distancing and stand in their pews for the alter call while worshiping at the Union Springs Baptist Church on Sunday, March 29, 2020, in Rutledge, Ga. Pastor Robert L. Terrell spoke to the congregation on how to worship while keeping social distance and two nurses met worshipers as they entered the church taking temperatures to keep the congregation healthy. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

By Associated Press March 29, 2020 2 min read

ATLANTA (AP) – The number of coronavirus cases in Georgia continues to rise quickly and steadily.

Georgia reported more than 2,650 cases of COVID-19 as of Sunday, with a quarter of them requiring patients to go to the hospital and 80 deaths, according to the state Department of Public Health.

President Donald Trump declared a federal disaster in the state on Sunday, clearing the way for federal aid.

Fulton County continues to lead the state with more than 400 cases. But hard-hit Dougherty County in southwestern Georgia still leads in deaths, with 17, and has reported almost 240 cases despite a population 11 times smaller than Fulton County. Georgia has reported 80 virus deaths statewide.

Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, which is treating the majority of cases in the area, said it would require everyone who enters to wear a mask starting Monday.