Currently, there are 1,169 cases, and 61 deaths in the West Central Health District.

For information of recorded deaths visit https://dph.georgia.gov/covid-19-daily-status-report.

The West Central Health District has established a toll-free number for COVID-19 information.

After the recording, callers may leave a message which will be returned within 24 hours.

                                                              1-855-962-0955

To be tested, individuals must be Georgia residents, and meet CDC guidelines. All symptomatic individuals are eligible for COVID-19 testing with a referral from your healthcare provider or your local public health department. People are encouraged to call 706-321-6300 before arriving at the drive-thru site. Specimen collection is held Monday through Friday, from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, and Saturday, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, behind the Columbus Health Department at 2100 Comer Avenue.

Other collection sites are listed below:  

Chattahoochee County- Tuesday and Thursday from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm, while supplies last and weather permitting. For more information call 706-989-3663.

Clay County - Wednesday from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, while supplies last and weather permitting.  Please call 229-768-2355 to be screened.

Crisp County - Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, and Friday from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm while supplies last and weather permitting. Collection site is the J.R Dowdy Building, 1129 N 5th St., Cordele. For more information call 229-276-2680.   

Dooly County - Monday through Thursday from 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm, by appointment only, while supplies last and weather permitting. For more information call 229-268-4725.

Harris County – Monday through Friday from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, while supplies last and weather permitting. For more information call 706-628-5037.

Macon County - Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, while supplies last and weather permitting.  Please call 478-472-8121 to be screened.

Marion County – Monday through Friday from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm, while supplies last and weather permitting. For more information call 229-649-5664.

Quitman County - Tuesday from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, while supplies last and weather permitting. Please call 229-334-3697 to be screened.

Randolph County - Monday, Thursday, and Friday from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, while supplies last and weather permitting. Please call 229-732-2414 to be screened.

Schley County – Monday through Friday from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, while supplies last and weather permitting. For more information call 229-937-2208.

Stewart County- Wednesday and Friday from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm, while supplies last and weather permitting. For more information call 229-838-4859.

Sumter County - Monday through Friday from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, by appointment only, while supplies last and weather permitting. Please call 229-924-3637 to be screened. Limited routine services during screening time.

Talbot County - Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, while supplies last and weather permitting. For more information call 706-786-6410.

Taylor County - Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm, while supplies last and weather permitting. For more information call 478-862-5628.

Webster County - Thursday from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm and Friday from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, while supplies last and weather permitting. For more information call 229-828-3225.

If you develop a fever with cough and shortness of breath, stay home and call your health care provider for evaluation and testing. Individuals who have mild symptoms should self-quarantine for 14 days. If residents have no provider or no insurance, please contact your local health department for guidance.

Be sure to call before going to a doctor’s office, emergency room, or urgent care center and tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms. Physicians can assess their patients using the CDC criteria and their contracted laboratory. 

Elderly people and individuals with chronic medical conditions may have increased risk for COVID-19.

We urge all individuals to practice these prevention measures:

• Stay home. Only go out for essential needed items. If you do, practice social distancing of at least six feet between you and the person closes to you. Wear a mask or cloth face covering.
• 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.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

 For more information, visit  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html.