Kemp announces mobile testing program for COVID-19 with one location in Middle Georgia
A trio of drive-through COVID-19 testing sites are coming to communities without access to testing, according to a release from Gov. Brian Kemp’s office.
Starting Monday, a mobile unit will travel between Milledgeville, Augusta and Tifton on a rotating basis. The testing sites are supported by Walmart and eTrueNorth, as well as state and local officials.
“Serving Augusta, Milledgeville, Tifton, and the surrounding regions, this mobile unit will be a game-changing step in our efforts to ensure access to COVID-19 (testing) across Georgia,” said Kemp in the release. “Increased testing is critical as we continue the measured process of safely reopening parts of our state.”
Milledgeville is part of Baldwin County. Baldwin had 181 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health in its noon Sunday update. That is third only to Bibb County and Houston County in Middle Georgia. Baldwin also has six deaths, the same amount as Bibb and just seven less than Houston. According to the latest census data, Baldwin has just over 44,000 residents while Bibb and Houston each have over 150,000 residents.
The unit will test people who exhibit symptoms of COVID-19. All health care providers and first responders can be tested whether they have symptoms. An appointment can be made at www.DoINeedaCOVID19test.com, but on-site scheduling will be available.
Testing schedule
Augusta:
- Monday and Tuesday; 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., weather permitting
- Diamond Lakes Regional Park, 4335 Windsor Spring Road, Hephzibah, GA 30815
Milledgeville:
- Wednesday and Saturday; 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., weather permitting
- Located directly across Lawrence Road from 240 Lawrence Road, Milledgeville, Georgia 31062
Tifton:
- Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. weather permitting
- Tift County National Guard Armory, 3111 U.S. 41 S, Tifton, GA 31794
This story was originally published April 27, 2020 at 7:30 AM.