Gov. Kemp, health officials hold town hall to discuss Ga. response to COVID-19 pandemic

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is reporting 1,643 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state, according to the 7 p.m. Thursday (3/26) update.

Gov. Brian Kemp was joined by state health officials during a town hall Thursday night at 8 p.m. to address the statewide response to COVID-19. You can watch a replay below:

#LIVE: Georgia Governor Brian Kemp is holding a town hall to discuss the COVID-19 outbreak. -->> bit.ly/2WJDAYK
Posted by WTOC-TV on Thursday, March 26, 2020

The total deaths related to COVID-19 is now 56. A total of 509 confirmed cases are hospitalized.

Labs across the state have now conducted almost 9,000 tests.

According to DPH, there are nine positive cases in Chatham County, six in Glynn County, three in Effingham County, three in Bryan County, one in Liberty County, one in Long County, two in Camden County, one in Toombs County and two in Tattnall County.

DPH will release updated numbers daily at noon and 7 p.m.