Georgia officials release numbers on coronavirus testing in state, private labs

Over 1,500 Georgians have been tested for the COVID-19 virus in state and private labs across the state, according to data released by the Department of Public Heath Wednesday.

Dr. Kathleen Toomey, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health, said in a conference call with media Tuesday more than 420 people have been tested for the new coronavirus through the state health laboratory since early March.

But officials did not know how many samples had been tested for the disease through private laboratories such as LabCorp, Quest or others.

According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, 1,065 tests have been conducted in private labs. 104 cases were confirmed as positive.

The Department of Public Health has conducted 443 tests with 93 declared positive.

That puts Georgia at a 13% positive test rate, as of Wednesday.

Private labs are expected to conduct “a substantial number” of COVID-19 tests going forward, according to previous reports from the state health department. These labs report positive cases to the state Department of Public Health, said Nancy Nydam, spokesperson for the state health department

Local healthcare and hospital officials are either unable or declined to say how many Columbus area residents have been tested for COVID-19. No one in Columbus has tested positive for COVID-19 as of March 17.

The state is currently working on expanding its criteria for testing, hoping to test 200 specimens a day by the end of the week. Another goal is to establish sites across the state so those who most need it are able to get tested, Toomey said.

“When this first started, we had to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines which really limited us to individuals who had traveled,” she said. “Since that time, we have recognized that we have to expand our criteria for testing.”

The state does not have the capacity to test those with mild illness. Those with mild symptoms account for about 80% of all novel coronavirus cases, Toomey said.

Focusing COVID-19 testing on those most at risk — healthcare workers, emergency personnel, elderly, caregivers and those with chronic underlying health conditions — is the guidance the state has received from the CDC at this time, she said.

“We are working closely with the medical community to ensure that we keep individuals from flooding emergency room or primary care practices so we don’t expose others,” she said. “Not every individual who wants to get tested will be tested because of limited capacity. This is safe.”

Those with more mild symptoms could go to their primary care doctor and be tested through a private lab, according to the state health department. At some testing sites, people have reported being charged up to $300 for testing and associated fees, state officials said Tuesday.

“If you feel like you need a test, please call your doctor,” Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said on the call.

Limited testing capacity means those who have the new coronavirus but display more mild symptoms will likely go undetected. The New York Times reported Monday that for every confirmed case, there are most likely another five to 10 people in the community with undetected infections. Those undetected cases are more mild, but those people are the most likely to spread the disease, based on scientific research and data from China’s outbreak.

Michael Hokanson, public information officer for the North Central Health District, said several people in Middle Georgia have been tested for COVID-19, but did not say how many. One person in Middle Georgia, a health care worker in Houston County, has tested positive for COVID-19.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Tuesday that the state is seeking out respirators, ventilators and other medical equipment in its efforts to combat COVID-19 as some of the state’s hardest-hit communities are suffering shortages.

Kemp said during the call Tuesday afternoon that medical supplies, which include thousands of goggles, shoe covers and gowns from private vendors, are currently on order.

The state is also requesting more testing supplies. Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency Director Homer Bryson said state officials have made a request through FEMA for 15,000 specimen collection kits, 5,000 protective equipment sets and 36 U.S. Public Health service officers.

Telegraph reporter Jenna Eason contributed to this story.

This story was originally published March 17, 2020 at 3:51 PM with the headline "Georgia officials release numbers on coronavirus testing in state, private labs."