Atlanta’s latest coronavirus updates: Monday, May 4

A quick roundup of what's happening in metro Atlanta and what you may have missed

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Atlanta coronavirus updates
While many who came out to watch the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds flyover stayed six feet apart from others, photographs from across Atlanta showed varied social distancing.

Photograph by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Over the weekend, gorgeous weather and the Blue Angels flyover drew crowds. Here’s your Monday morning update:

• As of publication time, there have been 29,011 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Georgia. 1,184 people have died. 183,002 tests have been conducted. 5,419 of those tested were hospitalized at the time. [GA Dept. of Public Health]

• It was a beautiful, sunny weekend in Atlanta—and the first weekend after the state’s shelter-in-place order expired for everyone except the elderly and those with underlying health conditions. As such, hot spots like Piedmont Park and the BeltLine Eastside Trail were packed. The AJC noted that many in those areas—and dining in at newly re-opened restaurants—were not wearing masks, despite the governor’s ask that citizens wear them when in public spaces. The Blue Angels flyover on Saturday also drew crowds, as did an Air Jordans release at Greenbriar Mall. The City of Atlanta’s official Twitter account tweeted a reminder about park spaces in particular—no large gatherings, no group sports, keep six feet apart. Emory infectious disease expert Dr. Carlos del Rio also tweeted a warning to Georgians: “Let’s be clear, cases are not going down. The decision to lift restrictions are economic but please don’t say it is based on public health data. Please stay safe, this ain’t over!” [AJC/WSB-TV]

• Elective surgeries will begin resuming at hospitals across the state, but many in the metro will only be performing surgeries that, while not life-threatening, are more than purely elective. (One example the AJC cited, “joint replacements for people who can hardly get around on foot.”) The surgeries will improve quality of life for the patients, and hospitals have been rapidly losing money without such procedures. PPE shortages are still an issue, but not as severe as when the pandemic began. [AJC]

• Emory hospitals and clinics are loosening some of the tight visitor restrictions put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. While no visitors will be allowed in the emergency department, labor and delivery and NICU patients can have one visitor, hospice/end-of-life patients can have two visitors, minors can have one visitor, inpatient surgery can have a visitor at arrival and departure. [WSB-TV]

• Many Starbucks locations will re-open today, although what services they’ll provide depend on the location. Some will be drive-thru only, others will offer grab-and-go. Seating will not be allowed. [WSB]

• Along with Simon malls (Lenox, Phipps), several Macy’s stores will re-open today as well. One thing to know about if you aren’t ready to go shopping in the traditional sense—Macy’s will now be offering contactless curbside pickup. A press release notes that store pick-up orders placed before noon can likely be picked up the same day. Call the store when you arrive, and an associate will drop the item in your trunk. [Macy’s via press release]

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