Coronavirus Updates: Some Early Voting Sites To Become Virus Testing Sites Too
A motorist drops a swab in a vial after administering a nasal test in Colorado.
David Zalubowski / Associated Press
Three early voting sites in Fulton County are now COVID-19 testing sites as well.
In an effort to make getting a test for the coronavirus more convenient, Fulton County officials are setting up no-appointment test sites at the South Fulton Service Center, Garden Hills Elementary and the Sandy Springs Library.
Those are also locations for early voting for the state’s June 9 primaries.
This comes at the Georgia Department of Health has confirmed more than 44,400 cases of COVID-19, with more 1,900 dead from the disease as of Monday evening.
Georgia DPH data reports that testing has passed half a million over the last few months, but that number combines antibody tests with viral diagnostic tests.
Antibody tests detect if someone was exposed or immune to the coronavirus. Diagnostic tests reveal if a patient is actively infected.
The department has added a note with the testing number that it includes more than 77,000 antibody tests.
The county says diagnostic tests will be conducted at voting sites between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. through this Friday.
They’ll be done in the parking lot so as not to interfere with voting operations.
Testing is not required in order to vote, and you do not have to vote in order to get a test.
Early voting runs through June 5.
Red Cross Needs Blood As Delayed Surgeries Resume
Georgia’s chapter of the American Red Cross says it is in need of blood, as metro Atlanta hospitals are resuming surgeries put on-hold because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The demand for blood jumped 30% in recent weeks nationwide. Donated blood has a limited shelf life and must be constantly replenished.
That comes as metro Atlanta’s largest hospital systems, like Wellstar, are easing back into some elective surgeries.
Red Cross officials say all drive and donation centers now require COVID-19 precautions like temperature checks, and everyone has to wear face masks.
The Red Cross also plans on rewarding Georgians donating during the month of June with a $5 Amazon gift card.
Cobb County In Process Of Reopening Facilities
Cobb County officials say they’re in the process of reopening certain facilities.
The county will start to phase-in employees on June 1. Meantime, some county services are set to resume over the coming weeks as the partial shelter-in-place order expires next month –that includes for some libraries, parks and government buildings.
The county says safety training is going on now or will be for the public buildings and areas set to reopen.
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