As President Biden called Tuesday for expanded access to COVID tests, including expanded at-home tests, metro Atlantans were finding their options more limited this week and next because of holiday closings for the test facilities.
Testing sites run by Fulton and DeKalb counties’ health departments, for example, planned to close Thursday and won’t reopen until Monday, because of holiday schedules. The Georgia Department of Public Health and county health departments have varied options for testing, but many of the state-run sites will be closed Dec. 24-25 and Dec. 31-Jan. 1. Some are also closed on Thursday, Dec. 23, which is a state holiday.
UPDATE: DeKalb Health Department will open 1 testing site on Thursday, Dec. 23
More information about tests in Fulton County
A journalist who visited a drive-through testing site in Decatur on Tuesday found a line of cars stretched more than a block with people waiting.
Those who need tests this week or next may consider options at retail pharmacies, privately operated drive-thru sites such as those run by Viral Solutions. For those covered by health insurance plans, insurance websites might offer additional choices. For both public and private test centers, advance registration is generally required.
How to find COVID tests in metro Atlanta
Retail stores with pharmacies are offering COVID testing by appointment, including CVS, Walgreens, Kroger, and Quest Diagnostics.
Find a health department testing site
Follow these links for metro Atlanta counties, or choose the Georgia DPH link for other Georgia counties
Georgia Department of Public Health
Gwinnett, Newton and Rockadle counties
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