Countless Georgians are now facing the same problem -- long waits to get a coronavirus test.
“The line was just snaked outside the church parking lot,” said Angela Hong of her testing experience in Fulton County. “There were people who were walking up on foot and there were people who were driving up.”
She waited in line for three hours.
As coronavirus cases and the demand for tests rise, counties are looking at ways to speed up the testing process.
The Fulton County Health Director told us the county is working to make it easier to schedule testing appointments.
“We’re increasing the phone lines, basically doubling them, and people will be able to go online and make their own appointments so that will help, too,” said Fulton County Health Director Dr. Lynn Paxton.
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In Cobb County, the health department says the wait time for a test there is now about 10 days.
To try to keep up with demand, the county is adding additional testing appointments.
In DeKalb County, the health department operates seven testing sites, but may look at adding more.
“We’re looking at it but it’s a manpower issue. It takes quite a few people to set these sites up,” said DeKalb County Health Director, Dr. Elizabeth Ford.
The Georgia Department of Public Health reports that on June 29th, just over 13,000 Georgians were tested.
Just a week later, that number increased by more than 3,000.
Despite the increased demand, GDPH hopes to continue making tests available for everyone, regardless of whether they have COVID-19 symptoms.
“I just wish it was easier to find tests,” said Hong.
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