ATLANTA — Thousands of Georgians are racing to get tested for COVID-19 ahead of the Christmas holiday.
It’s happening as the state just reported its highest number of daily COVID cases in two months.
“The key is testing. You got to get tested if you’ve been exposed,” said Dr. Danny Branstetter. “You got to get tested if you have symptoms and you’re going to gather you got to get tested.”
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But getting a test isn’t as easy as you may think.
Channel 2 Action News stopped by several appointment-only facilities on Sunday and couldn’t find one opening for at least 72 hours. We also stopped by major drug store chains and grocery stores searching for at home tests. But most of the shelves we saw were empty.
The new wave of cases forced the NBA to postpone several games, including the Hawks’ game.
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We spoke with Cecil Pollock just minutes after he and his family learned that Sunday’s Hawks game against the Cleveland Cavaliers had been postponed. Numerous players tested positive.
“It stinks! Actually we drove two hours from Franklin, North Carolina,” Pollock said.
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Only six cases of omicron have been detected in Georgia but officials still think the variant is much more widespread than that. Heath leaders said the vaccine is still highly effective in protecting against severe illness or death.
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