Testing now available to asymptomatic people in Georgia counties hardest hit by COVID-19

As part of its charge to lead statewide screening and testing for COVID-19, Augusta University Health has expanded testing to include asymptomatic people in Georgia counties hardest hit by the virus and all asymptomatic critical infrastructure workers.

Asymptomatic people living in pre-identified Georgia counties can be tested for COVID-19 by first scheduling a free screening through the AU Health ExpressCare app, by calling 706-721-1852 or by visiting a drive-thru specimen collection location closest to them. Those counties include: Baker, Butts, Calhoun, Clay, Crisp, Dougherty, Dooly, Early, Hall, Lee, Macon, Marion, Miller, Mitchell, Randolph, Sumter, Terrell, Turner, Upson, Wilcox and Worth.

“The key to opening up our state is by testing as many people as possible to help better identify and isolate positive individuals to keep them from spreading the virus to others,” said AU Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Phillip Coule. “With additional lab capacity and more regents available through 3D printing and other avenues, we’re now able to test more people, starting with areas hardest hit by the virus.”

The health system is also prioritizing testing for all critical infrastructure workers, no matter where they live, and includes those individuals working in the areas of: health care (including at-home caregivers of medically fragile patients), energy, emergency services, financial sector, food and agriculture, transportation, water supply/utilities, information technology, communications (including news media), nuclear reactor/waste, transportation, waste water and sewer, and defense.

“We are prioritizing critical infrastructure workers for testing, even if they are asymptomatic, because of the risk that is posed by workers being infected and continuing to work,” Coule said.

Coule said the easiest way to know whether you are considered a critical infrastructure worker is if your job requires you to work outside of the home during the mandated shelter-in-place order.

For more information, visit the AU Health ExpressCare app site or call 706-721-1852.