Coronavirus In Forsyth County: Restaurants Open, Cases In Town

Kathleen Sturgeon
Updated ·6 min read

FORSYTH COUNTY, GA — The new coronavirus outbreak in Georgia and across the nation continues to affect Forsyth County, where schools remain shuttered and businesses have been closed in an effort to slow the spread of the virus.

The number of coronavirus deaths and confirmed cases in Georgia spiked over the past 24 hours. The updated tally, released at noon on Tuesday, reflects an increase of more than 1,000 cases from noon on Monday, and 21 additional deaths, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Fulton County's 547 cases are the most of any Georgia locality. The next highest totals are 455 in Dougherty County, DeKalb with 325 cases, Cobb with 272 cases, Gwinnett with 233 cases, Bartow with 129 cases and Carroll with 122 cases.

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Here is what happened Tuesday in Georgia: GA Tops 100 Coronavirus Deaths, Cases Pass 1,000 A Day

FORSYTH COUNTY CASES, DEATHS

Forsyth County has 43 cases and one death as of Tuesday. The death was of an 87-year-old man. The Department of Public Health said it is unknown if he had underlying medical conditions.

SCHOOLS

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp ordered public schools to remain closed through April 24 due to coronavirus. Prior to this date, the governor will make a decision on the remainder of school year.

During this time, Forsyth County Schools will continue online learning and all schools and facilities will remain closed to non-essential employees and the public. Student meal drive-thru and delivery will also occur, with the exception of spring break. All school activities, events, and athletics will not occur until we reopen. More details will be shared prior to April 27.

While we are anxious to return to our normal routines, especially for our senior class, we encourage all members of our Forsyth County Schools family to continue to be flexible and patient for the safety of our students and staff. We appreciate your continued support.

Forsyth Schools is continuing its current meal drive-thru and mobile pantry schedules, but have modified the meal delivery slightly. The district is now delivering two days a week - Mondays (two days of meals provided) and Wednesday (three days of meals provided). The locations and times have not changed.

Related links from Forsyth County Schools:

CUMMING

  • The City of Cumming has extended the period of closure of all city-owned and operated facilities to the public through April 10. Click here for a list of all City of Cumming contact information.

  • The City of Cumming Recreation Department has extended its suspension of programs through April 26. Click here for full information about the extension of closures and suspensions.

  • Through March 31, the City of Cumming will restrict public access to all City of Cumming owned and operated buildings and facilities. Click here for complete information about the restrictions to the public, and click here for a listing of City of Cumming contact information.

  • All Cumming Fairgrounds events that were scheduled during the month of March have been canceled or postponed. Future events will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and future cancellations/postponements will be posted.

  • As of March 16, all future scheduled meetings of the Cumming City Council and Planning & Zoning Boards will proceed as normal.

  • The Cumming Chapter 1030 of the Vietnam Veterans of America has extended its deadline for submission of its annual college scholarships. With schools closed due to coronavirus concerns and some students without access to computers, the VVA has extended until April 30 its deadline for postmarking scholarship applications. Chapter 1030 will be awarding five $1,500 scholarships to graduating seniors attending Forsyth County public and private high schools. Applications should be available at school guidance counselors' offices or by contacting scholarship chairman Marty Farrell at martysyracuse@yahoo.com or by calling 770 500-7234. Scholarships are awarded to honor the service and sacrifice of Georgians killed in action during the Vietnam War.

FORSYTH COUNTY

  • Forsyth County Board of Commissioners Chairman Laura Semanson has signed a declaration of local emergency, effective March 18.

  • On March 20, Semanson signed an urgent declaration regarding gatherings. The statement reads in part, “ . . . all Forsyth County citizens and residents are requested, in the most urgent terms, to avoid holding, sponsoring, or attending non-mandatory assemblies or gatherings of 10 or more individuals for so long as Forsyth County remains in a state of locally declared emergency.” Click here to view the full text of the declaration.

  • On March 27, Chairman Semanson signed additional Declarations and Orders.in response to COVID-19. The full text is available here.

    • Closure of dine-in and/or outdoor/patio services at restaurants

    • Suspension of certain purchasing policies, specifically related to COVID-19

    • Suspension of penalties and fines related to Occupation Taxes

    • Allowance for online public bid openings

  • Beginning March 13, the county is postponing all non-essential meetings and activities. The Board of Commissioners will continue to have its regular meetings and public hearings, as well as meetings that are required due to ordinance processes. Monthly meetings by various boards, commissions and authorities are under review.

  • Forsyth County Courts Judicial Response to COVID-19, click here.

  • The March 24 Presidential Preference Primary has been postponed. Click here for more information from the Secretary of State's Office.

  • Park areas that remain open: Green space park areas and trails; boat ramps

  • Facilities Closed to the Public

    • Restrooms, Athletic Fields, Playgrounds, Pavilions, Tennis and Basketball Courts, Dog Parks

    • Skate ParkShady Grove Campground (7800 Allyn Lane Memorial Way, Cumming)

    • Central Park Recreation Center (2300 Keith Bridge Road, Cumming)

    • Fowler Park Recreation Center (4110 Carolene Way, Cumming)

    • Old Atlanta Park Recreation Center (810 Nichols Road, Suwanee)

    • Sawnee Mountain Preserve Visitor Center (4075 Spot Road, Cumming)

  • Athletic leagues are suspended at this time. Recreation center programs and Sawnee Mountain Preserve programs are suspended through April 30. Staff are contacting customers regarding cancellations and refunds.

  • Summer camp registration will begin on April 1 at 8:30 a.m. Registration will be accepted online only at https://secure.rec1.com/GA/forsyth-county-ga/catalog. If you experience registration issues, email parkweb@forsythco.com or call 770-781-2215.

  • All pavilion and indoor facility rentals are suspended until April 30. Staff are contacting customers regarding cancellations and refunds.

  • Events Canceled:

    • Sawnee Mountain Preserve Public Input meeting on March 26

    • TR Easter Egg Hunt and Dance on April 11

    • No Empty Bowls on April 18Community Yard Sale on April 25

    • Sawnee Mountain Preserve Spring Festival on April 25

  • Forsyth County Libraries Closed Until Further Notice

  • The annual Senior Expo, scheduled for April 18, has been postponed. All Senior Centers closed until further notice.

  • The Forsyth Chamber of Commerce created a new website listing restaurants that are still open around the county, updated daily at 11 a.m.

RELATED: GA Coronavirus: How Forsyth Neighbors Are Responding

This article originally appeared on the Cumming Patch