GA Coronavirus: Stimulus Payment, Increased Tests, Anti-Mask Law

GEORGIA — As the number of confirmed coronavirus cases increased more than 7,000 from last week, Georgia has ordered more testing for the state.

The Georgia Department of Public Health is increasing the number of specimen collection sites statewide for coronavirus testing, and is revising the current testing criteria to handle more testing of Georgia residents.

Effective immediately, all residents who show signs of the coronavirus will be eligible for testing. Health-care workers, first responders, law enforcement and long-term care facility residents and staff will still be prioritized for testing regardless of whether they are or are not symptomatic.

Referrals are still required, however, there are now two ways to be referred to a Department of Public Health specimen collection site:

Local Health Department Testing

People who meet coronavirus testing criteria may now be referred to Department of Public Health specimen collection sites by contacting their local health department. They will be screened by health department staff and referred to the closest, most convenient specimen collection site. Contact information for local health departments can be found on the Department of Public Health homepage under coronavirus in Georgia.

Health Care Provider Referral

Health-care providers and/or physicians can and should continue to refer patients for coronavirus testing.

People should not arrive unannounced or without a scheduled appointment at a specimen collection site, hospital, emergency room or other health care facility. Only individuals who have been evaluated by public health or a health care provider and assigned a PUI # number will be referred to these drive-thru sites.

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Here's what happened this week in Georgia due to coronavirus:

GA Unemployment Claims Reach Record High In March: Coronavirus

Georgia's job losses now total 5.1 million, the largest over-the-month drop since March 2010. How you can file an unemployment claim.

GA Coronavirus: Testing Now Offered By Local Health Departments

All symptomatic people are now eligible for coronavirus testing by local health departments, the GA Department of Public Health said.

$1 Million In Medical Debt Erased For ATL Families By Church

Families from three counties in metro Atlanta are having their medical debt cancelled by a local church.

Woman Coughs On Family, Says ‘Corona,’ Escapes: Atlanta Police

A woman who coughed on a family at Atlantic Station, said "corona" and fled might have been part of a social media challenge, police said.

TSA Checkpoint Agent At Hartsfield-Jackson Dies From Coronavirus

A 32-year-old TSA checkpoint agent who last worked at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport in mid-March died Monday of the coronavirus.

Anti-Mask Law Waived By Gov. Kemp: GA Coronavirus

Gov. Brian Kemp's executive order makes face masks exempt from the old 1951 Georgia law that banned face coverings.

Marietta Grandmother Uplifts Community With Chalk Drawings

Marietta resident Kathy Wood is bringing smiles to the faces of neighbors near and far with her creative chalk drawings.

Man Charged After Claiming To Have Coronavirus At Cobb Jail

A man has been arrested after falsely claiming he had the new coronavirus while he was being booked into Cobb County jail earlier this week.

Tyler Perry Urges Black Community To Take Coronavirus Seriously

After Tyler Perry lost a crew member to the coronavirus, he is now urging the black community to take the pandemic seriously.

GA Residents: How To Check Your Stimulus Payment Status

Are you one of the 80 million Americans who got their stimulus payment? If not, here's how Georgians can track the status of their money.

No Georgia Students? No Georgia Football: Coronavirus

College officials made it clear: If college football players are students, football games won't be played until colleges reopen to students.

Wild Heaven Beer Offering Coronavirus-Inspired Brews

Wild Heaven Beer has debuted two new brews inspired by the coronavirus: Fauci Spring and Don't Stand So Close to Me.

Coronavirus Not Enough To Bond Out Alleged White Supremacists

Three north Georgia men alleged to have plotted murdering a Bartow County couple asked for bond over coronavirus fears in jail.

See more:

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