New covid testing requirements have been released for all health departments in District 2, which covers the counties of Banks, Dawson, Forsyth, Habersham, Hall, Lumpkin, White and other surrounding counties, as well.
Some of the health department staff who previously worked in testing for COVID-19 will now be reassigned to giving the vaccine through immunization clinics. This reduced staff for testing now means that there are stricter requirements for the public to be tested.
According to a press release from the Department of Public Health (DPH) District 2, only first responders, school employees and court personnel who are symptomatic may be tested for COVID-19, and even then, it’s by appointment only.
“This change will help meet the demand for providing vaccines to more people as we work through the phases identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevent,” says Dave Palmer in a press release from the DPH.
The change begins on January 11 and testing will be offered between 8 and 9 a.m. only.
Also beginning on January 11, any adults 65 years of age and older can receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
More details on all of this can be found on the DPH District 2 website, phdistrict2.org. You can also follow their Facebook page, district2publichealth.
