Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp today praised the state’s latest efforts at testing more residents for COVID-19.
According to the governor’s office, Georgia recorded its single highest day of new test reporting, with 13,000 new tests reported to the Georgia Department of Health.
“Two weeks ago, I told Georgians we were not testing enough in our state and that we would make every effort to boost testing capacity,” Kemp said. “It is clear we are making significant progress. We have dramatically increased the number of testing sites with forty-nine now available across the state in partnership with our university system, the private sector, local public health officials, and nine additional Georgia Guard testing sites. We are pushing our testing capacity to the max. Yesterday I asked all Georgians who are experiencing symptoms to schedule an appointment to get tested. We have the sites, the physicians, and the tests. We just need more Georgians to participate.”
Why it Matters: Many health officials believe increased testing is the key to monitoring the spread of the disease. While not a cure, testing allows the spread to be better tracked and the virus to be better understood by doctors and scientists. Kemp has called for more testing for weeks and state officials have been working to get more testing done in Georgia.
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To get a free screening, Georgians with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 can download the Augusta University ExpressCare app at augustahealth.org, or call (706) 721-1852.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention list the following symptoms for COVID-19:
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fever
Chills
Repeated shaking with chills
Muscle pain
Headache
Sore throat
New loss of taste or smell
Asymptomatic residents who are medical workers, first responders, law enforcement, or residents or staff of a long-term care facility can call their local health department to schedule a free COVID-19 test. Find a nearby test site here or see below for a list of Georgia National Guard testing sites.
Clayton State Parking Deck (City of Morrow)
5893 North Lake Drive
Morrow, Georgia 30260
Monday – Sunday (1 p.m. – 4 p.m.)
Kennesaw State University Parking Deck
525 Parliament Garden Way NW
Kennesaw, GA 30144
Monday – Sunday (8 a.m. – 12 p.m.)
Colquitt Regional Medical Center
3131 S Main Street, Moultrie, GA 31768
Monday – Sunday (8 a.m. – 12 p.m.)
Decatur Armory
3736 Durham Park Road, Decatur, GA
Monday – Sunday (9 a.m.-1 p.m.)
Albany Civic Center
100 W Oglethorpe Blvd 31701
Monday – Sunday (2 p.m. – 6 p.m.)
Greenbriar Mall
2841 Greenbriar Pkwy SW, Atlanta, GA 30331
Monday – Sunday (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.)
Georgia State University Blue Parking Lot
521 Capitol Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia 30312
Monday – Sunday (2 p.m. – 6 p.m.)
M.E. Lewis Elementary School
11145 GA Hwy 15, Sparta GA 31087
Monday, Wednesday, Friday (2 p.m. – 3 p.m.)
Rock Creek Sports Complex
445 Martin Road, Dawsonville, GA
Monday – Sunday (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.)
