Governor Brian Kemp announced Thursday that there are “no additional cases” of coronavirus in Georgia. He continued to urge calm as the state begins actively testing for the virus.
“I’m proud to say that our state lab now has the capacity to conduct the COVID-19 testing which actually started today,” Kemp said during a press conference at the State Capitol. He added, “commercial labs will begin ramping up testing next week.”
Georgia Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Kathleen Toomey appeared with Kemp and other officials at a press conference at the State Capitol. She said the state tripled the number of people tested for coronavirus in just one day.
“We were given 150 test kits and we have gone through already 50,” Toomey said. “Today alone we had double-digit individuals tested.” Testing increased after the CDC lifted its strict criteria.
The test involves a nasal swab that must be conducted in a secure environment. The cost of the test is covered by insurance but if you’re uninsured you will not be charged.
If you believe you may have contracted COVID-19 you should call your health care provider before going into a facility for testing to avoid spreading the coronavirus.
The elderly and those with preexisting conditions are at greatest risk of contracting COVID-19. Kemp said the average age for deaths globally is 81. He urged Georgians to continue to use common sense practices “as you would in flu season.” The governor also encouraged Georgians to watch out for con artists trying to scam them off of coronavirus fears.
“Remain vigilant in your communities. Remain calm and continue to use best practices,” he urged.
Atlanta airport
With the world’s busiest airport daily delivering travelers to the state, officials have also focused their prevention efforts on Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. During the press conference, airport general manager John Selden gave an update on what’s being done to prevent people infected with COVID-19 from entering the state. He said Customs and Border agents are working with the CDC and local health contractors to carefully screen travelers flying in from nations considered high risk by the CDC.
“So far to date we’ve only had one passenger that has been taken to Emory and that person was released after 72 hours for not having the virus,” Selden said.
“Our cleaning protocols and our emergency response plans and our pandemic plans are fully integrated. Our emergency operations center at the airport is operational. Our EMS staff from Atlanta Fire Rescue are all trained with the correct PBE [Protective Breathing Equipment] and ready to roll if necessary.”
The airport is using EPA approved peroxide cleaning solutions to wipe down escalators, bathrooms, and other high trafficked areas.
“Our airline partners from international flights are cleaning their planes from top to bottom on the arrival of every flight,” he said. “We’re cleaning the jet bridges. And as of today we’re procuring numerous hand sanitizers that will be delivered rapidly throughout the airport four our customers and passengers that have any concerns.”
Risk remains low
To date, there are only two confirmed cases of coronavirus in Georgia. That could change. “We expect we will ultimately find more positive tests because the more you test the more you find,” said Dr. Toomey. She said 80% of COVID-19 cases are “very mildly symptomatic, if at all.” And even though health officials expect the number of infections may rise, the commissioner stresses the risk of a widespread outbreak in Georgia remains low.
“We do not have, at this time, any indication that the virus is circulating in the community – that there’s wide community spread,” she said. “We still feel the risk is low throughout the state.”
