Coronavirus live updates: What to know about COVID-19 in Middle Georgia on April 1

As COVID-19 continues to impact local schools, business and governments, the Telegraph is working to keep our readers informed about decisions that will impact them. This list will be updated throughout the day. If there’s an item you believe should be included in this list, please email breaking@macon.com.

Here is what you need to know about how the novel coronavirus is affecting Middle Georgia:

Community blood drives canceled in Bibb, Baldwin counties

The American Red Cross has canceled six blood drives that were scheduled for April through a partnership with Navicent Health.

The blood drives were going to be held in the ARC’s mobile blood drive bus outside Navicent Health’s facilities in Bibb and Baldwin counties, according to a Navicent Health news release.

MWA again suspends disconnections for non-payment

The Macon Water Authority board has suspended service disconnections for customer non-payment of water and/or sewer bills. The MWA initially announced it would halt disconnections “indefinitely” starting March 15.

Also, the board has suspended administration fees and late penalties on customer accounts, according to a MWA news release.

“However, the authority encourages customers to keep their accounts current by continuing to pay their bills,” the release read.

Payments may be made online through the MWA customer self-service portal, mail, phone or other regular methods.

MWA has also closed its customer service lobby and halted public fishing at Javors Lucas Lake until further notice.

Additionally, customers are asked to avoid flushing wet wipes and other disposable items in toilets, including those marked “flushable” or “septic safe.”

Those items are not made to break down once they’ve entered the MWA sewer system and can sewer line blockages, spills and overflows and damage the sewer collection system, the release said.

Residents are also advised not to pour fats, oils and grease into drains, which can clog residential plumbing and negatively impact the sewer system, according to the release.

For more information, contact MWA Customer Care at 478-464-5600, or visit the MWA website at www.maconwater.org.

Piedmont Brewery & Kitchen releases beer to support service staff

Piedmont Brewery & Kitchen has released a new beer to help support its service staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

All of the profits the beer generates will go into their newly created Piedmont Employee Relief Fund, according to a news release.

The beer is called Shift Beer and is an easy-drinking American light lager beer, with 4 percent alcohol by volume, around 100 calories and around 3.5 grams of carbs, according to the release.

A case of shift beer is $5, and orders can be placed by calling 478-254-BEER for curbside pick-up.

Kroger increases pay for workers in Georgia

The Kroger Co. and the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union announced on Wednesday an increase in pay and benefits during the coronavirus outbreak for more than 21,000 Kroger employees in Georgia and more than 460,000 workers nationwide, according to a news release.

Workers will receive a $2 per hour wage increase, additional emergency paid leave and new workplace safety measures including installing plexiglass partitions in checkout lanes, according to the release.

“Today’s increase in pay and benefits is a good first step in our ongoing conversations with Kroger to keep customers and workers safe in stores during this crisis,” said UFCW International President Marc Perrone, in the release. “We look forward to continuing to work with Kroger to strengthen support and protections for these essential workers on the front lines of this outbreak as they continue to serve families across the country.”

Additional resources Kroger will be providing to employees are early access to pay beginning next week, financial assistance for childcare and other needs, an employee hotline and expanded healthcare services.

Middle Georgia case numbers

The Telegraph will provide updates twice a day on the number of cases reported from Middle Georgia counties following the state’s noon and 7 p.m. updates.

Statewide case numbers

The Telegraph will also provide updates twice a day on the number of cases reported across the state, and update the live map below. This story and map are based on the most recent information from the Georgia Department of Public Health.

This story was originally published April 1, 2020 at 9:36 AM.