More NE Ga counties have confirmed COVID cases

Madison and Greene counties are among those reporting their first confirmed coronavirus cases: Athens-Clarke County had 14 as of noon Monday. 70 Georgia counties now have at least one case of coronavirus. The statewide total increased to 800 and the death toll increased by one from Sunday, climbing to 26 Monday.

The Georgia Department of Transportation has postponed a public forum that had been scheduled for tonight at Oconee Veterans Park: there is no word on when the information session on plans to widen Highways 53 and 441 might be rescheduled. 

Madison County state Senator Frank Ginn has been named to Governor Brian Kemp's coronavirus task force, a panel assembled to assess the economic impact of the pandemic. 

In another concession to coronavirus concerns, Elbert County is closing government offices in Elberton until further notice.

Gainesville is suspending city bus service because of coronavirus: there will be no Gainesville Connection service through at least April 3. 

The Corps of Engineers is closing visitors centers on Lake Lanier, and the Corps says mobile district parks, campgrounds, and other recreation areas that have not opened for the 2020 recreation season will delay opening indefinitely. Those who paid for reservations on those Lake Lanier facilities will be getting refunds.

More than 60 Goodwill stores in Atlanta and across north Georgia are now closed because of coronavirus. Goodwill says employees are still expected to be paid and receive benefits.