GAINESVILLE, GA – In a press release issued today by District 2 Public Health, it outlines that the state has expanded the testing guidelines to include those without symptoms if they meet certain qualifications.

“District 2 Public Health is ramping up specimen collection to help meet Governor Kemp’s call for increased testing. This is made possible by additional testing supplies, increased laboratory capacity and expanded testing criteria. The new testing guidelines will include these groups:

• Hospitalized patients
• The following people with symptoms:
  • Healthcare workers, first responders, and other critical infrastructure workers
  • Persons residing in long-term care facilities or other group residential settings
  • Persons 65 years of age and older
  • Patients with underlying medical conditions
  • Household members or caregivers of any of the groups above
  • Persons with close contact with a known COVID-19 case
• The following people without symptoms will also be tested as capacity allows:
  • Healthcare workers, first responders, and other critical infrastructure workers that have been exposed to COVID-19
  • Residents of a long-term care facility or other group residential setting experiencing an outbreak of COVID-19

If you feel that you meet any of these conditions, follow these three simple steps:

• Call your local health department and ask to speak to a nurse about COVID-19 testing.

• The nurse will review your situation and submit your information for verification.

• Public health will call you back to arrange an appointment at the site nearest to you.”

Here’s Fetch Your News’ daily updates of COVID-19 cases in Georgia.