May 12th Update

Good Afternoon,

Dooly Totals:

Positive Cases:  145

Total Deaths:  12

Test Pending: 63

Future Drive Thru Dates/Times:  May 19th at the Dooly County High School from 2:30 pm until 6:30 p.m. NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED

*******WE ARE STILL TESTING DAILY AT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT  BUT YOU MUST CALL 229-268-4725 OPTION 2 TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT*************

We were able to get in more test kits today so we are ready to start testing again tomorrow. We do not have the space available for drive thru traffic at the health department so we must continue to do those by appointment only. It literally takes 2 minutes tops. You never have to leave the vehicle. We give you a specific time to be there and we have already gathered your information over the phone so there’s no wait time. IT IS FREE AND AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

We do not do retesting if you have already tested positive. That is a directive from our district medical director. We WILL test if you have tested negative and feel the need to be retested but it must be at least 2 weeks or more AND at my discretion.

Turn around time on testing: Nothing I have control over. Please be patient. I do not know when the results will come back. The labs are being pushed but that comes from way up higher than me. I ship them out either the same day if it’s just a daily testing day. If it is a drive thru testing site then it goes out the next day due to courier pick up times in our area. I am using 3 labs currently in order to get as many testing kits as I can. They are all different as far as turn around time. I use the slowest as a last resort so I try to get you all the results as soon as possible. I do not have rapid test available at this time.

The governor has decided to keep bars and nightclubs are to remain closed through the end of this month along with amusement parks and performance venues. You can see the full document on Governor Kempt’s website.

Please remember that large gatherings of 10 or more people must be able to maintain social distancing guidance of 6 ft or more. This is important for all business that have been given the “go ahead” to open. I know this isn’t always what we are seeing but that doesn’t mean YOU don’t have to comply. Take responsibility for your own health and safety. Make sure that you are practicing social distancing (standing 6 ft away from others), wearing a mask/face covering while out in public, washing your hands/using hand sanitizer, disinfecting high traffic areas as often as possible, monitoring you own health, stay home if you are sick, if you have been in direct contact with a known positive COVID 19 patient please self quarantine for 14 days (CALL AND GET TESTED), and please please PLEASE don’t go around anyone else if you have tested positive with COVID 19 and haven’t been symptom free for 3 days AND at least 10 days have passed since you were tested. This is so important for the health and safety of those you come in contact with.

Please call our office or contact us if you have any questions or concerns. We are here for you.

Stay safe, stay healthy, and God Bless,