Hello Ball Ground:
We are hearing a lot of information on TV about the vast improvement in test availability in Georgia for COVID-19, as well as the fact that anyone can now be tested.
Unfortunately, due to interaction with a group of contractors who have now tested positive for COVID-19, I was instructed to get tested. I have no symptoms, however, I got to experience first hands the challenges of testing.
First, let me just say if you require testing simply get in your car between 8:00 AM and 4 PM and drive to 5450 GA-20 in Cartersville, which is the “Clarence Brown Conference Center”. This is a no-appointment-required drive-thru-center. Stay in your car and get the test. Results in 2-4 days (don’t have my results yet so will see how these numbers hold up).
Beyond that – my experience from yesterday –
Cherokee County Health Department Canton – can’t schedule a test thru them as advertised
Cherokee County Health Department Woodstock – can’t schedule a test thru them as advertised
Georgia State DPH Call Center – 2+ hours of non-stop calling. Nobody answers. After 50-60 rings it hangs up.
American Family Woodstock – Still a test center but out of tests
CVS – Portal was broken – could not schedule tests
Georgia Highlands – No tests available
So testing in Georgia, or at least here in Cherokee County is still quite a problem. I can only imagine the frustration a person who was actually suffering from symptoms would have felt.
On July 24th the City will partner with Georgia Highlands to establish a drive-thru testing site at the Ball Ground Senior Center. But as with all of the testing processes, the issue is how to get scheduled. As soon as Georgia Highlands gives us the process for scheduling a test we will publish and encourage everyone possible to get tested. We are pushing Georgia Highlands to just set up a non-appointment drive-thru as I went to in Cartersville but it will ultimately be dictated by the terms of their grant with the State.
Need a test? Go to Cartersville.
Have a great day Ball Ground.
Eric
