Coronavirus: Decatur Testing Sites, Face Mask Questions Answered

DECATUR, GA — As Georgia sees more cases of the coronavirus, more people have questions about testing and the number of cases confirmed. Decatur residents have been asking Patch for information about public testing sites and if masks are needed. The DeKalb County Board of Health answered those questions.

Spokesman Eric C. Nickens Jr. said yes, there is a testing site in the county, but the location isn’t open to the public, therefore it can’t be disclosed.

“The site is not open to the public in order to protect patient confidentiality,” he tells Patch.

“Secondly, specimen collection kits are still limited. Testing must be authorized by the Georgia Department of Public Health after a physician determines that an individual meets testing criteria.”

If that approval is granted by a physician, the individual is then assigned to the testing site. An appointment for a specimen collection is also scheduled.

Nickens said that having a large gathering at one location for “limited resources presents a significant public safety issue.”

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Citing the CDC, he said that priority groups for testing include:

1. Hospitalized patients who have signs and symptoms compatible with COVID-19 in order to inform decisions related to infection control.
2. Other symptomatic individuals such as, older adults and individuals with chronic medical conditions and/or an immunocompromised state that may put them at higher risk for poor outcomes (e.g., diabetes, heart disease, receiving immunosuppressive medications, chronic lung disease, chronic kidney disease).
3. Any persons including healthcare personnel, who within 14 days of symptom onset had close contact with a suspect or laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patient, or who have a history of travel from affected geographic areas within 14 days of their symptom onset.

“Those who are mildly ill are encouraged to stay home and contact their healthcare provider by phone for guidance,” he said.

“Those who have severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, should seek care immediately, but not before notifying the healthcare facility of their planned arrival, in order to protect others from potential exposure," Nickens said. "Older individuals who have underlying medical conditions or are immunocompromised should contact their physician early, even with mild illness.”

Although many believe a face mask is necessary, Nickens said the CDC doesn’t recommend that people who are well wear one to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19.

“You should only wear a mask if a healthcare professional recommends it,” he said. “A face mask should be used by people who have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms. This is to protect others from the risk of getting infected.”

Health workers and those taking care of someone infected in close settings with the coronavirus should also use a face mask.

Mayor Patti Garrett issued an Emergency 14-day Stay At Home Order Tuesday night to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

"I believe that this unprecedented action is necessary to slow the spread of the virus and save lives," Garrett said in a statement. "For that reason, I implore our residents to take the order seriously. I am confident that if we work together our efforts will make a positive difference in our battle against this disease."

New numbers announced Wednesday afternoon show that nearly 400 Georgians are hospitalized, 40 have died, and 1,247 have been infected with coronavirus, the Georgia Department of Public Health said.

Fulton County has the most cases in the state with 198, followed by DeKalb with 116.

Globally, more than 438,000 people have been infected and more than 19,000 people have died from the new coronavirus, Johns Hopkins reported Wednesday. Of that total, more than 55,000 confirmed cases were in the United States, with more than 800 U.S. deaths tied to the virus outbreak.