UPDATED: Stephens County now at 16 positive cases of COVID-19

The Georgia Department of Public Health is now reporting 16 positive cases of COVID-19 in Stephens County.

As of Friday evening, the Department of Public Health announced that Georgia has a total of 11,859 positive cases throughout the state, with 2,454 being hospitalized, and 425 dying from complications of the virus.

In our area, Habersham County has 14 confirmed cases, Rabun County has six, Banks County has seven, Franklin has four cases and Hart counties each have three cases.

At this point, Stephens County has had zero fatalities due to 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.