Northeast Health District to Offer Online COVID-19 Test Scheduling

Athens, GA – The Northeast Health District will offer online scheduling for three of its COVID-19 testing locations starting this Saturday, September 19, 2020.

Anyone wishing to be tested at these sites – located in Athens, Loganville, and Winterville – may visit PublicHealthAthens.com to schedule an appointment for free COVID-19 testing. The new online system will augment the existing telephone hotline.

“Being able to schedule online provides another option that is more convenient for many people seeking testing. The telephone hotline will still be available for those who prefer to call, and with many people choosing to schedule online, hold times for callers should be short,” explained Emily Eisenman, District Administrator. “Either option will make getting an appointment fast and easy.”

Testing at any site operated by the Northeast Health District is free, and anyone may be tested – you do not need to have symptoms. 

In addition to stationary testing sites, the Northeast Health District continues to offer a variety of mobile testing options, including: 

• a mobile unit that moves throughout the 10-county health district

• the AU/UGA Athens Free Clinic mobile clinic that provides services to those experiencing transportation barriers within Clarke County

• a “strike clinic” that can respond to outbreaks and hotspots

Appointments for the mobile units may be made by calling the testing hotline at 706-340-0996.

For a full listing of DPH testing sites, visit: https://dph.georgia.gov/covidtesting.

4,821 Positive Cases Confirmed in Athens-Clarke County, 41 Deaths

The Georgia Department of Public Health Daily Status Report (https://dph.georgia.gov/covid-19-daily-status-report) confirms 4,821 positive cases of COVID-19 and 41 deaths reported in Athens-Clarke County as of 2:50 p.m. on September 18.

ACCGov updates the graphic with case information on it most Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for social media. The graphic includes the increase in positive cases since the last update and the number of deaths. 

The September 18 update shows an increase of 102 positive cases and 4 deaths since Wednesday, September 16.

These are cumulative cases total since February 25, 2020. For reference, cumulative numbers from the beginning of each month:

• September 1 - 3,082
• August 1 - 1,694
• July 1 - 574
• June 1 - 293
• May 1 - 155
• April 1 - 54
• March 1 - 4

Mayor & Commission Approve Eighth Declaration of Local State of Emergency through Oct. 15

The Mayor and Commission approved an eighth declaration of a local state of emergency at a Special Called Session on Tuesday, September 15. The declaration is in effect through October 15, 2020 unless extended, rescinded, superseded, or altered by the Mayor and Commission.

The sections of the declaration continue to include:

• Requiring facial coverings or masks in entities or public places over the mouth and nose at all times where physical distancing measures may be difficult to maintain. Exceptions to the requirement are noted in the declaration.
• Allowing establishments licensed to sell beer or wine on premises to sell unopened bottles, cans, or growlers of beer and wine for take-out consumption off premises.
• Allowing patrons or employees at restaurants to transport, serve, or consume open container alcoholic beverages in an outdoor seating area within 100 feet of the outer wall of licensed premises or who are transporting alcoholic beverages across public streets, sidewalks or rights-of-way for the purpose of serving or consuming said beverages as described.
• Extending the Occupation Tax for businesses from the April 1, 2020 deadline to November 6, 2020.

The full eighth declaration of a local emergency is available online.