The Georgia Department of Public Health is expanding its hours and increasing the number of COVID-19 testing sites in Georgia. Public health officials say the move is in response to recent changes by the CDC and the fact that the virus is still spreading.
Previous testing criteria was to test individuals with fever, cough, and shortness of breath. “Due to new testing criteria from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), we can now test anyone with these additional symptoms: chills, shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and loss of taste or smell,” explains District 2 Public Health spokesperson Dave Palmer.
District 2 serves residents in the North Georgia counties of Banks, Dawson, Forsyth, Franklin, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Lumpkin, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union, and White.
In order to be tested, you must have a referral. You may get a referral by calling the district-wide COVID-19 call center at 770-531-5600 or by scheduling an appointment through your local county health department.
The regional call center is now open from 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. seven days a week. All county health departments will continue to schedule appointments for testing during normal business hours, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Test sites
Currently, there are two COVID-19 testing sites in Northeast Georgia – one in Hall County and another in Towns County. A third site is set to open in Franklin County on May 5. “This location will better serve residents in Franklin and Hart,” Palmer says.
The Franklin County testing site will operate on Tuesdays and Fridays. To schedule an appointment, contact the districtwide call center or the public health departments in Franklin and Hart counties (click here for contact info).
Residents of Towns, Union, and Rabun counties are encouraged to use the testing site in Towns. All other residents in the district are encouraged to use the Hall County site. Its new operating hours are:
- Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Sunday from 9 a.m.-12 noon.
In addition to these sites, DPH is providing free drive-thru testing at popup sites throughout the region. The next testing event is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, May 1, at the Allen Creek Soccer Complex in Hall County. You must have a referral to be tested. You may get a referral through the district call center or your local health department.
The Georgia Mountain Food Bank also will be distributing free food during the May 1 event. You do not have to get tested to receive free food.
SEE Free drive-thru COVID-19 testing and food distribution Friday
On April 26, the Department of Public Health teamed up with Habersham Medical Center (HMC) to provide free drive-thru testing in Cornelia. They tested 335 individuals. Test results have been returned on 302 of those individuals and of those, 67 – or 22% – tested positive for COVID-19.
HMC officials say they plan to conduct more free drive-thru testing but have not yet scheduled any new dates.
Virus still spreading
Governor Brian Kemp today announced he is extending the public health state of emergency in Georgia through June 12 but is allowing the statewide shelter in place order to expire for most Georgians at 11:59 p.m. Thursday, April 30.
Georgians over the age of 65 and those who are considered medically fragile are still required to shelter in place through June 12.
Although the statewide shelter in place order is being lifted, health officials urge Georgians to continue to take precautions.
“The virus is still spreading. We are advising people to follow social distancing guidelines, wash their hands often, and wear a face-covering when around other people. We also suggest that if you can work at home, or stay at home if you are not working, to continue to do so,” he says. “Make sure to keep hand sanitizer with you to wash your hands after pumping gas, using shopping carts, or handling other items that may be shared with others.”
Palmer adds, “If a person is feeling ill, they should not go out. Instead, call their local health department or the call center at 770-531-5600 to see if they need to be tested.”
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Kemp extends Public Health State of Emergency for Georgia; shelter in place continues for some
