Georgia exceeds 100,000 tests in 10 days, antibody testing to begin soon and more coronavirus updates
Georgia exceeds 100,000 tests in 10 days
The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) announced it had tested 100,000 in 10 days, a goal set by DPH Commissioner Dr. Kathleen Toomey.
“This is an important benchmark for Georgia as we work to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the state,” Toomey said. “Increased testing is critical to understanding where there are hotspots of infection and how best to mitigate them.”
Georgia officials announced yesterday that testing is available to all Georgians, regardless of whether they have symptoms. The state has 65 specimen collection sites and 30 mobile sites.
The schedule an appointment, visit dph.georgia.gov.
Augusta University to begin antibody testing
Augusta University Health will begin antibody testing this week to determine whether people have been exposed to the new coronavirus and have developed antibodies to fight it.
The presence of antibodies suggests a person was infected with COVID-19, said Dr. Brandy Gunsolus, the special testing laboratory manager and doctor of clinical laboratory science at AU Health.
“This test is not one for diagnosing an acute infection,” Gunsolus said. “The antibodies come up too late in the disease process for that purpose. Therefore, this test is not determining if someone has an infection, it is testing if they’ve had one. And, just because you have antibodies, it doesn’t mean that your infection is over.”
According to release, the new antibody testing will initially only be open to patients at AU Health; there are plans to offer the testing to the general public within the next few weeks.
MTA to resume regular paratransit service
The Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority (MTA) has resumed regular paratransit service, according to a press release.
According to MTA, paratransit riders must continue to call to schedule trips, while fares for paratransit and fixed route services remain free.
MTA will:
1. Continue to take the temperature of paratransit (and fixed route) riders before they board any MTA vehicle. Temperature must be below 100.4.
2. Paratransit (and fixed route) riders must continue to wear a face covering that is affixed to the head. Face covering refers to traditional/recognizable mask; makeshift mask; bandana, fabric or cloth AFFIXED/SECURED to the head (pinned, clipped or attached with elastic, tie, etc.) to shield mouth & nose.
For more information on this Paratransit policy adjustment or any MTA policies, call 478-803-2504/2505 during hours of operation or visit mta-mac.com.
Middle Georgia coronavirus cases
The Georgia Department of Public Health reported 1,423 positive COVID-19 cases in Middle Georgia in its 12:25 p.m. Friday update, a net increase of three cases since 7 p.m. Thursday
Bibb County leads the area with 381 total cases. An addition death was recorded for Houston County, which has 15 deaths, the most in Middle Georgia.
State health officials have not provided a breakdown of the residents tested for COVID-19 in each county. The state is also not tracking the number of people who have recovered from COVID-19.
A testing event scheduled in Bibb County Tuesday was canceled as state labs catch up on an overwhelming number of tests.
Here’s a breakdown of cases and deaths by county:
Bibb 381, 14
Houston 281, 15
Baldwin 270, 10
Macon 81, 3
Laurens 72, 1
Peach 61, 2
Washington 52, 1
Wilkinson 40, 2
Monroe 34, 4
Pulaski 34, 1
Dodge 31, 1
Jones 30, 0
Bleckley 22, 0
Crawford 19, 0
Twiggs 8, 0
At 12:25 p.m., the state of Georgia reported 32,016 confirmed cases and 1,357 deaths, with 54 of those in Middle Georgia.