North Central Health District

North Central Health District COVID-19 Testing Site Hours & Procedures Update

Posted November 30, 2020 by Michael Hokanson

North Central Health District’s (NCHD) COVID-19 testing sites, called specimen points of collection (SPOC), will have updated hours beginning Monday, Dec. 7.

With the Dec. 7 update, SPOCs will operate on the following schedule:

In addition to the SPOC schedule updates, NCHD is changing the procedure for COVID-19 testing at each of the 13 SPOC sites. All sites will move from using nasopharyngeal collection by nurses to self-administered nasal swab collection. SPOC staff will provide instructions to visitors on how to use the self-collected swab to ensure viable samples are collected for each person’s test. Self-collection will be supervised by public health staff to ensure that tests are performed correctly.

Nasal swabbing is similar to nasopharyngeal collection in detecting COVID-19, but nasal swabbing is more comfortable for those being tested. Other advantages of nasal swabbing include reducing risk of infection to healthcare providers performing testing, using less personal protective equipment during testing and reducing the time it takes to perform the test itself.

NCHD COVID-19 testing is conducted by appointment only. Anyone in need of testing through these sites must call the Testing Line at 1-844-987-0099 for an appointment. The testing line is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The number of new COVID-19 cases is once again rising across Georgia and our 13-county district. It is important for every member of our communities to take steps to protect themselves and others from the spread COVID-19:

• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your nose, eyes and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are ill.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough and sneeze with a tissue, then dispose of the tissue. If a tissue is not available, use the inside of your elbow to cover your cough or sneeze.
• Regularly clean and disinfect high-touch objects and surfaces.
• When out in public, keep 6 feet between yourself and other, and avoid crowds.
• Wear cloth face coverings in places where maintaining a six-foot distance from others is difficult or impossible.

For more information about COVID-19, including cases numbers, testing information and guidance, visit NCHD52.org/coronavirus, or use the Georgia COVID-19 Hotline by calling 844-442-2681.