UPDATE: 6PM Kemp Authorizes Call of Georgia National Guard for COVID-19 Response
UPDATE, 3:04 p.m. (3.15.2020): The confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Georgia was updated from 66 to 99.
Just hours after declaring a state public health emergency, Governor Brian Kemp issued a statement that he has called up the Georgia National Guard in response to the COVID-19 health situation.
According to the statement from Gov. Kemp's office:
Today Governor Brian P. Kemp issued Executive Order 03.14.20.02 authorizing Adjutant General Tom Carden - at the request of Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Director Homer Bryson - to call up as many as 2,000 Georgia National Guard troops to State Active Duty to address novel coronavirus and COVID-19 in Georgia.
"Through extensive emergency preparedness training, the brave men and women in the Georgia National Guard stand ready to serve above and beyond their traditional military duties. In states of emergency, they are equipped to take necessary action to protect the health and safety of Georgia families in every region," said Governor Kemp. "To assist with COVID-19 mitigation and critical services, including the transfer of Georgians currently at Dobbins Air Reserve Base to their homes, the Georgia National Guard will now be available to communities to ensure the steady supply of medical equipment, food, shelter, or related materials to keep Georgians safe in the weeks ahead."
The Georgia National Guard is already assisting with the transfer of thirty-one Georgians - formerly passengers on the Grand Princess cruise ship - from Dobbins Air Reserve Base to their homes today for isolation and monitoring by Department of Public Health officials.
99 Coronavirus Cases Governor Declares State Public Health Emergency
As the number of COVID-19/Coronavirus cases increase in Georgia, Governor Brian Kemp has declared a statewide public health emergency. During a Saturday morning update Kemp reported the number of cases at 64, yet shortly after, his office announced the number had grown to 66 cases.
Breaking down the numbers Gov. Kemp said there are now 15 cases in Cobb County, 13 in Fulton, 8 in DeKalb, 7 in Bartow, 5 in Cherokee, 4 in Fayette, 3 in Floyd, 2 in Coweta, 2 in Gordon, 2 in Gwinnett, and 1 each in Lee, Henry, Lowndes, Polk, and Charlton counties.
Kemp called it the "largest increase in over a 24 hour period to date." In Cobb, DeKalb, and Bartow counties Kemp said the number of cases "doubled overnight".
The governor also urged everyone to look out for the elderly, and to stay calm in light of coronavirus.
Kemp is also calling for a special session of the Georgia General Assembly. He wants lawmakers to ratify the declaration and to approve funding in light of the pandemic. The session was suspended this week with lawmakers being told to go home.
CLICK HERE to stream the press conference.