East Point opens new COVID-19, antibody test sites
Free drive-thru sites expand; officials warn residents to remain diligent
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East Point is dramatically expanding tests for COVID-19 and antibodies this week through partnerships with local churches, a private laboratory and county health officials.
The new sites will include drive-thru and walk-up testing and one will offer a mobile unit. The tests are free for people without insurance or those enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid. Some tests will be conducted during food giveaways across the city.
The expanded testing comes as businesses are reopening and after a weekend of people venturing into public spaces often without practicing physical distancing or wearing protective equipment. Coronavirus cases in East Point continue a slow climb upward.
“In order to begin phased reopening of government and business, increasing testing is critically important,” Mayor Deana Holiday Ingraham said Monday in announcing the new testing efforts.
The city is partnering with MAJL Diagnostic Laboratories to provide tests at two churches and two city-owned properties over the next several days. The sites will offer two tests – a nasal swab to see if you’re infected with COVID-19 and an antibody test to check for previous exposure to the virus. Results will be provided within 72 hours.
The tests will be offered at four locations – East Point Downtown Commons (May 6 and May 13, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), East Point City Annex (May 11, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church (May 14, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.) and Chapelhill Church (May 5, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.).
“This has been a tremendous blessing and definitely a tremendous resource,” Ingraham said. “We are extremely grateful for this partnership.”
No appointment is needed for any of the four sites but people are encouraged to pre-register online.
The city also blitzed residents with the testing details through texts, emails and a robocall from Ingraham on Tuesday.
On May 7-8, testing will also be offered at Impact Church from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. That site is being staffed by a mobile walk-up unit from the Fulton County Board of Health. The testing is free and no appointment is needed.
Two other testing centers are operating near East Point. The Georgia National Guard has a testing site at Greenbriar Mall (photos). The county health department operates a site at Wolf Creek Amphitheater. Tests at both sites are appointment only.
For more information on the Fulton test sites and additional options, visit the county’s COVID-19 portal.
Coronavirus cases rise in East Point
The expanded testing in East Point comes as confirmed coronavirus cases continue to increase in the city. Two additional COVID-19 cases were reported over the weekend, raising the total in the city to 95, according to an epidemiology report released Monday by the Fulton County Board of Health.
The number of coronavirus cases puts East Point sixth among the 14 cities in the county, behind Atlanta (1,398 cases or 45.2 percent of the total in Fulton County), South Fulton (365 or 11.8 percent), Sandy Springs (255 or 8.2 percent), Roswell (159 or 5.1 percent) and Johns Creek (98 cases or 3.2 percent).
East Point’s share of coronavirus cases – 3.1 percent of the total in Fulton County – nearly matches its percentage of the county population. The city’s COVID-19 diagnosis rate is 271.6 per 100,000 people, which is sixth among cities in the county.
‘You could be exposed before you get home’
City council members on Monday applauded the launch of new testing sites in East Point. But several urged residents to stay home when possible and continue physical distancing and wearing face masks when out in public.
Councilmember Myron Cook warned that even with widespread testing, residents should remain diligent.
“It is amazing how many people who do not realize that your testing results, especially if they are negative, are only good for that moment. You walk out of the room, you walk down the street, you could be exposed before you get home,” Cook said.
“If you are negative now, it requires you to remain diligent to stay negative,” he added.
Councilmember Nanette Saucier said it’s easy to take minimal precautions to protect yourself against COVID-19.
“Why take a risk when it’s so easy to protest yourself, protect your family, protect those around you,” Saucier said.
As testing expands in East Point, the city is also continuing an aggressive effort to provide food to those in need. In the last five weeks, city officials and staff have helped distribute more than 125,000 pounds of food and 10,000 meals, according to Councilmember Thomas Calloway.
“The amount of work they have been doing is absolutely mind-boggling,” Calloway said.
Food support is offered daily through a mix of programs at area churches, schools and food banks.
Read more coverage of how the coronavirus pandemic is impacting East Point.