Coronavirus testing expands in North Georgia counties

The District 2 Public Health office in Gainesville, covering 13 counties north of Atlanta including Forsyth and Hall counties, announced ramped-up specimen collection for persons suspected of being infected with the COVID-19 virus.

New guidelines, according to a District 2 announcement, allow tests for hospitalized patients; and people showing symptoms who are health care workers, first responders or critical infrastructure workers; persons 65 and older, in long-term care or with underlying medical conditions; and their household members, care givers or others in close contact.

As testing capacity allows, those without symptoms who will be tested include health care workers, first responders and critical infrastructure workers who have been exposed to the novel coronavirus; and residents of long-term care facilities and other group residential settings experiencing an outbreak of COVID-19.