ALBANY, GA — Southwest Public Health District this weekend will offer specimen collection for COVID-19 testing in Thomas and Grady counties. This free service is available by appointment to individuals in the following categories, regardless of county of residence:

• Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19

• Adults age 60 or older

• Caregiver for elderly (age 60 or older)

• Caregiver for immune compromised person

• First responder who is critical to the epidemic response

• Healthcare worker

• Patient with serious chronic medical condition such as heart disease, diabetes, or lung disease

• Immune compromised patients

• Anyone who works or lives in congregate setting

• Employees who need testing to return to work

Individuals who want to be tested can contact the call center from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday to determine if they are eligible for an appointment. Specimen collection will be done 9am to noon on Saturday in Thomas and Grady counties, said Dr. Charles Ruis, District Health Director for Southwest Public Health District 8-2. Beginning Monday, the weekday schedule will resume with collections in done 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday in Thomas County.

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