A White House task force report warns that the coronavirus spread in Georgia is “widespread and expanding” and “strongly recommends” a statewide mask mandate, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, which obtained the report yesterday.

Although Georgia remains without a statewide mask mandate, the governor on Saturday said residents are urged to wear face coverings and take other precautions.

“To keep moving in the right direction, we are urging all Georgians to wear a mask, practice social distancing, wash their hands, and follow guidance” from the Georgia Department of Public Health, Kemp tweeted.

The August 9th task force report also urged leaders in Georgia to close down bars, night clubs and gyms in high-risk counties to help stop the viral spread, the Journal-Constitution reported.

The number of coronavirus cases in Georgia has shot up to nearly 232,000, the fifth-highest after California, Florida, Texas and New York.

As of Saturday afternoon, Chattooga County was reporting 355 cases with 17 hospitalizations and 4 deaths due to COVID-19.