Coronavirus: County Health Department Tests At Duluth Arena

DULUTH, GA — Infinite Energy Center may have been closed for concerts, but there were rock stars there anyway — public-health workers testing for the coronavirus.

About 800 pre-screened patients were scheduled Wednesday to be tested on the center’s parking decks for COVID-19 , the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

Health workers from Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale County Health Departments wearing full protective gear administered the tests to patients through their car windows. Members of the Georgia National Guard — most wearing masks — directed traffic and provided logistical support.

The drive-through testing — the first for coronavirus in Gwinnett County — is part of a wider net the health department is casting to slow the disease’s spread. More than 1,800 tests are planned throughout Gwinnett this week, according to Dr. Audrey Arona, district health director and CEO of the joint county health departments. As many as 2,200 tests will be conducted next week, she added, depending on demand and the availability of test kits.

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“We will be here during every phase of this response,” Arona said. “We will continue testing, and we’re making plans for mass vaccination when a vaccine becomes available.”

Test results will be available online to patients in about 48 hours, Arona said. If patients test positive, someone from the department will call them and trace that person’s contacts as necessary.

The availability of more testing kits made it possible to test more people, Arona said, effectively widening criteria to include more members of the general public.

While tests still require referrals first, those referrals are now a little easier to come by. Previously, doctors had to make the call. Now, a referral from a county health department is good enough. Those in Gwinnett, Newton or Rockdale counties can call 770-513-5631. The call center is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The county health departments have more information on their website.

The curve is flattening, Arona said. Still, everyone is encouraged to continue following appropriate health guidelines.

“What’s important to remember is that a negative test does not mean that a person should disregard the measures we’re recommending: social distancing, cleaning and disinfecting, hand washing, staying home when you’re sick,” Arona said. All of those still remain paramount to slowing the spread of this virus in our community.”

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