LATEST REPORTS: As of 7 p.m. Friday. Next report at noon Saturday.

Statewide deaths: 14 (was 13 at noon Friday.)

Statewide positive results: 485, a 63.2 percent increase over 287 reported Thursday.

Latest confirmed cases here:

Floyd: 7, up one since Tuesday.

Bartow: 54, up 107 percent from 26 reported on Thursday (second most in the state behind Fulton County).

Gordon: 3 cases (had been four but apparently one reclassified).

Polk: 3 cases, up two from Thursday.

No cases in Chattooga.

State totals show:

33% of those testing positive are 60 and older.

41% testing positive are ages 18-59.

Another 25% unknown.

50% of the patients are female, 48% are male, 1% unknown.

COVID-19 Testing by Lab Lab Number of Positive Tests Total Tests Commercial Lab 354 1,682 GPHL 131 704

THE HOSPITALS:

Cartersville Medical Center: (Thursday afternoon)

Since March 9, there have been 32 positive COVID-19 patients (with 12 who currently remain as inpatients).

Overall, there have been 15 patients who have tested negative to date.

There are currently 39 patients in-house awaiting test results; 31 patients, including inpatient and ER patients, have been discharged home following CDC and Public Health guidance for self-quarantine.

Redmond Regional Medical Center (Friday afternoon)

Two confirmed cases.

27 patients pending test results.

Floyd Medical Center: (Friday afternoon)

Four confirmed cases.

Nine others awaiting test results.

THE LATEST

Remembering Beth Wells

Elizabeth Eugenia “Beth” Wells, age 65, of Rome, passed away on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, at a local hospital.

Ms. Wells was born in Rockmart, Georgia on September 4, 1954, daughter of Melba Gladney Ford and the late Franklin Eugene Ford. She worked for 18 years for Wellstar Health Systems and later worked at Walmart. She was formerly a member of Mt. Paran Church of God and was currently a member of the Church at Liberty Square where she sang in the Choir and was active in many activities of the church. Ms. Wells loved writing and had published a book entitled “Garden Variety Wisdom”. Her greatest enjoyment was spending time with her grandchildren.

Survivors include two daughters, Hilary New (Robert) and Tracy Grui (Nick); a son, Timothy Ryan Wells (Sabrina); four grandchildren, Eric Gossett (Kayla), Chelsey Fortenberry, Grace New and Robert New, Jr.; her mother, Melba Ford; a sister, Dianne Bucy (Randy); nieces, nephews and cousins.

In accordance to her wishes, Ms. Wells will be cremated, and no services are planned at this time.

Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, South Chapel.

Floyd County Coroner Gene Proctor confirms Elizabeth E. “Beth” Wells, 65, of a Woodrow Wilson address in Rome, was pronounced dead at 5:52 p.m. Wednesday at Redmond Regional Medical Center. The cause of death, he says: Respiratory failure brought on by complications of the COVID-19 virus. Proctor added that the community must realize “this is not a joke” and urged people to shelter-in-place, especially those with compromised immune systems and those 60 and over. Wells was admitted to Redmond Regional on March 7 and received the test on March 8. Positive results came back March 12 and she died March 18.

Earlier:

Members of the congregation of The Church at Liberty Square in Cartersville are in mourning today as one of the choir members, Beth Wells, succumbed to coronavirus Wednesday afternoon.

A note was posted on the church choir’s Facebook page a bit later Wednesday evening and reads as follows: “Brothers and sisters, I come to you tonight with terrible news. I’m so sorry to tell you that our dear sister Beth didn’t make it. She went home to be with the Lord today. I don’t know any details at this time as far as arrangements. Let’s remember her family in prayer. Love to all of you.”