Dougherty County Public Health department swabs hundreds of noses as testing demand rises

DOUGHERTY COUNTY, Ga. – Southwest Georgia Department of Public Health officials are saying the need for COVID-19 tests is skyrocketing. In Dougherty County, the testing site has added another lane for cars to accommodate to the demand.

DPH officials are urging people to call ahead to alleviate the long wait times. The testing site is currently averaging over 200 swabs a day within their five hour operation window.

Calling ahead allows the department to register people for testing.

Nurse supervisor Beverly Reid says she hope people will continue to take advantage of the testing.

“It’s free, it is a service to not only yourself and your family but to the community as well. Just think about it, you’re not only getting testing for yourself, your family, your community, for all the people that you care about because you will know your status. You will know if you’re negative you will know if you’re positive, you will know if you need to be careful also it’s free.”

SOURCE: DPH