Board of Health COVID-19 testing sites to switch specimen collection method

DECATUR—As the demand for COVID-19 testing continues to surge in DeKalb County, Georgia and throughout the country, the DeKalb County Board of Health is taking the opportunity to notify the community of an upcoming change in the COVID-19 specimen collection process.

Beginning Saturday(Nov. 28) at the Stonecrest testing site, specimen collection will switch from a nurse administered test to a self-swab test. On Monday(Nov. 30), this switch will take place at the Doraville and East Atlanta testing sites.

Health officials say that the change will help individuals to become more comfortable with getting tested, as the swab will not have to go as far back into the nostril. A provider will observe each client, as they rotate the swab in each nostril and then put it into the collection tube. In special circumstances, such as with infants and children, a provider will perform the nasal swab.

Guidance videos for self-swab testing are available in English and Spanish.

Appointment scheduling and registration for COVID-19 testing can be done online. COVID-19 testing is free and open to all individuals who wish to be tested. A driver’s license or identification card is not required, however registration in advance is strongly encouraged.

Individuals will receive their test results via the email address they provide during registration. 

For current testing site hours of operation and online appointment scheduling for all DeKalb County Board of Health testing sites, visit dekalbhealth.net, or call the COVID-19 Call Center at (404) 294-3700, Option 1. Normal call center hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. until noon on Saturday.

For more resources and information about COVID-19, visit the DeKalb County Board of Health’s COVID-19 website at dekalbhealth.net/covid-19.