COVID-19 testing site for pre-approved patients opens in Douglas County

In March, the health department opened its first drive-through testing site for high-risk workers at Jim Miller Park in Marietta. Valerie Crow, spokeswoman with the health department, said 612 tests have been conducted at Jim Miller Park. The positive test rate is slightly less than 20%, she said.

Douglas and Cobb County residents who have a pre-approval number and fever, cough and shortness of breath qualify for testing. Anyone without these symptoms will not be tested.

Patients can see if they qualify by calling their healthcare provider, a federally-qualified healthcare center or the Cobb & Douglas Public Health Call Center at 770-514-2300.

Once on the phone, it will be determined if a patient needs a test and and he or she will be scheduled to visit a drive-through site. They will also be given a pre-approval number they will present upon arrival. The health department said people fitting these additional classifications will be prioritized for testing:

•adults age 60 and older;

•caregiver for a person age 60 and older;

•caregiver for a person with a compromised immune system;

•first responder who is critical to the response to the pandemic;

•healthcare workers;

•a patient with serious chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease or lung disease; and

•a person who lives or works in places such as dormitories, homeless shelters or long-term care facilities like nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

For more information about the pandemic, call the Georgia COVID-19 hotline at (844) 442-2681.