Cobb, Douglas expand coronavirus testing at drive-thru sites

March 17, 2020 Marietta: Health department officials are setting up for the drive-thru testing of coronavirus in Jim Miller Park at the Cobb County Outdoor Arena on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, in Marietta. Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com

March 17, 2020 Marietta: Health department officials are setting up for the drive-thru testing of coronavirus in Jim Miller Park at the Cobb County Outdoor Arena on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, in Marietta. Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com

The Cobb & Douglas Public Health department has expanded the criteria for getting tested for the novel coronavirus at its two drive-thru testing sites at Jim Miller Park and Hunter Park.

Testing is free but still by appointment only. Individuals who believe they have been exposed or are at risk should call their healthcare provider, a provider at a federally qualified healthcare center or call the public health department at 770-514-2300.

According to the new criteria, the following people with symptoms can be tested:

-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 care givers of any of the groups above 

-Persons with close contact with a known COVID-19 case 

Additionally, people without symptoms will also be tested “as capacity allows,” according to the department:

-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