Georgia reported a new record high number of new COVID-19 cases in a single day Friday.
According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, the state added 1,900 new cases Friday, topping the previous record of 1,800 from six days ago. The total number of cases is now 72,995.
The state also added 148 new hospitalizations Friday bringing that total to 10,605. A total of 2,770 people have died from the virus.
The age group with the highest number of confirmed cases in Georgia continues to be 18 to 29 year olds, who now account for 14,671 of the cases statewide.
According to the United States Coronavirus Task Force lead by Vice President Mike Pence, the surge in cases among younger Americans is a nationwide trend and many young adults who catch the disease have such mild cases that they unknowingly spread it to more vulnerable populations.
In an effort to combat the asymptomatic spread of COVID-19, several cities including Atlanta are offering free testing. Atlanta City Council member Dustin Hillis is hosting a free COVID-19 testing event from Monday, June 29 to Wednesday, July 1 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Springfield Missionary Baptist Church, 1730 Hollywood Road NW.
Self-administered, shallow-nasal COVID-19 tests will be available to those with or without symptoms. Results are typically reported within two to three days. More information about the event is available here.
