New agreement between Phoebe, DPH, Coroner Fowler for COVID-19 testing of the deceased

ALBANY, Ga. – Last week Dougherty County Coroner Michael Fowler claimed some COVID-19 deaths might have gone uncounted due to Phoebe ceasing to test patients who’ve died in their ER or while being transported to the hospital.

Fowler claimed he hadn’t received that possible COVID-19 data from Phoebe for three weeks.

Now, after reaching an agreement with both Phoebe and the Department of Public Health, Fowler says any deceased person can be tested for COVID-19 upon his request. 

“We came to an agreement, all three of us, that we are going to make sure that every patient that needs to be tested will be tested. Anyone that I request. The Department of Public Health will supply the test kits, Phoebe will do the swabbing and then the Department of Public Health will get the test results for me,” says Fowler.