Georgia is now in the midst of its fifth COVID surge. The state’s seven-day average of positive tests is now higher than it’s ever been and hospitalization rates in the state are starting to climb.
While the rapid rise in cases has not yet resulted in hospitals being overrun, the number of COVID-19 patients rose about 10% Tuesday to nearly 2,200 statewide. To help ease the strain on hospital resources, the Georgia Department of Public Health urges Georgians not to go to hospital emergency departments for COVID tests: Only go to EDs if you are experiencing severe COVID-19 symptoms requiring urgent medical attention.
“Asymptomatic individuals or individuals with mild symptoms should find testing sites other than hospital emergency departments,” a news release from DPH states.
COVID-19 testing locations are available throughout Georgia and can be found on the Georgia Department of Public Health website.
“We are working with our lab partners to expand testing hours and add testing sites, however, lines will continue to be long as thousands of Georgians want to get tested,” the state health agency says.
To help alleviate delays at testing sites, it is critical that people register before going to a DPH test site. Online registration is available through the website. Officials say pre-registering helps alleviate back-ups at test sites.
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Public health officials continue to urge people to get vaccinated as their best defense against the virus.
“COVID vaccination is available statewide and is our best tool for ending this pandemic and reducing the overwhelming strain on the healthcare system and healthcare providers,” health officials say.
To find a COVID vaccination location, visit https://dph.georgia.gov/covid-vaccine.
Georgians aged 5 and older are eligible for vaccination. Georgians 16 and older are eligible for boosters.
In addition to the vaccine, health officials urge people to continue to follow basic prevention measures; wear a mask, physically distance, and wash your hands frequently with soap and water.
