DPH receives improved COVID-19 testing kits
DOUGHERTY COUNTY, Ga. – Some encouraging changes at the Department of Public Health COVID-19 test sites: faster, easier and less wasteful testing.
“Testing for covid-19 remains very important part of our response,” says Southwest Georgia Health Department Health Director Charles Ruis.
Testing helps people know if they have the novel virus and if they should isolate themselves to prevent spreading it. Testing also provides general, crucial data on the well being of the community. This week, the Southwest Georgia Public Health District has surpassed 40,000 COVID-19 tests.
“And we’re completely prepared to test through the end of the year and beyond if necessary.”
Additionally, the department announced that they’ve received new testing kits. Gone are the days of getting swabbed 3-4 inches up your nose. These new swabs only go 3/4 of an inch up the nasal cavity.
“Things have evolved a little bit. 3/4 of an inch is the diameter of a penny so thats not very far, it’s not very unpleasant.”
Results are coming back faster as well. Before the new tests, results could take up to eight days now people are getting their test results within 48 hours.
“Furthermore, what we’re asking people to do is to swab themselves it helps us to cut down on the use of personal protection equipment, anytime we can save that that’s a good thing for the community in general also, it means that we don’t have to have as much licensed clinical personnel on the site.”
With the district performing over 2,000 swabs a day, Dr. Ruis says the improved testing kits will greatly streamline the process and people can now know to quarantine sooner, hopefully reducing the rate of transmission.
