ALBANY— Southwest Public Health District is collecting specimens for COVID-19 testing in Thomas County. Individuals who want to be tested can contact the call center from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday to determine if they are eligible. This specimen collection for COVID-19 testing includes individuals in the following categories, regardless of county of residence: 

• Adults age 60 and over 

• Individuals with symptoms of COVID-19 such as fever, respiratory symptoms, cough, and loss of smell or taste 

• First responders, including EMS, law enforcement, and firefighters 

• Individuals that live or work in a congregate setting such as nursing homes 

• Health care workers, whether in direct contact with patients or not 

• Caregiver for another person age 60 and over 

• Caregivers for an immune compromised person 

• Individuals with serious chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or lung disease

Specimen collection will be done Tuesday and Thursday in Thomas County. Public Health will not be charging for this service, said Dr. Charles Ruis, district health director for Southwest Public Health District 8-2.

The call center hotline is (229) 352-6567.

For information about COVID-19, visit https://dph.georgia.gov/novelcoronavirus or https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.