BREAKING NEWS: DPH reports first COVID-19 related death in neighboring Habersham County

The Georgia Department of Public Health is reporting the first fatal case of COVID-19 in our area.

As of 7 p.m., Saturday, the Department of Public Health released that in Habersham County there are been 14 confirmed cases of the virus, with one individual dying due to complications of the virus.

In Stephens County, there are 17 positive cases of COVID-19; however, at this time, there has been no related fatalities in Stephens County.

Elsewhere in our area, Rabun County has six, Banks County has seven, Franklin County has four cases and Hart county has three confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Throughout the State of Georgia, the Department of Public Health announced that Georgia has a total of 12,261 positive cases throughout the state, with 2,491 being hospitalized, and 432 dying from complications of the virus.

The Georgia Department of Public Health continues to post daily updates on its website at dph.georgia.gov for the latest numbers regarding COVID-19 cases; these updates are made at noon and a 7 p.m. daily.