COVID-19 Symptoms Expanded
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently expanded the list of common COVID-19 symptoms. Now in addition to fever, cough, and shortness of breath, other common symptoms include chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat and new loss of taste or smell.
Additionally, test kits now are more plentiful, and laboratories can process more tests.
It only takes a few minutes to go through COVID-19 testing, and in a few days, you should have the results. It is important that you monitor your health for the symptoms stated above. If you believe that you have fever, cough or at least two of the other common symptoms, you should call your local healthcare provider to schedule an appointment for COVID-19 testing.
Free Testing
The capacity for COVID-19 testing in Georgia has greatly increased in recent days. Testing is available through public health drive-through testing sites, private providers, National Guard testing sites, federally qualified health care centers, among others.
Testing is available through the Southeast Health District for free if you meet eligibility criteria.
The Southeast Health District serves Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Brantley, Bulloch, Candler, Charlton, Clinch, Coffee, Evans, Jeff Davis, Pierce, Tattnall, Toombs, Ware & Wayne counties.
Call the Southeast Health District’s call center number at 1-855-473-4374 to schedule a brief screening and a free appointment for testing at a drive-through testing site.
The call center takes calls for COVID-19 scheduling Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Right now, all symptomatic Georgians can take advantage of this resource, and they ask that anyone who is experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19 to act.
Always follow prevention measures such as covering your cough, sneezing into a tissue and staying home if you are sick. Do your part in keeping our communities safe by getting tested for COVID-19. Together, we can slow the spread of this pandemic.
