Georgia

Gov. Kemp says rapid tests being sent to state will be a ‘game -changer’ in fight against COVID-19

By Richard Elliot, WSB-TV
By Richard Elliot, WSB-TV

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — Georgia will soon be getting 200,000 rapid COVID-19 tests every week until the end of the year.

Gov. Brian Kemp calls what will ultimately end up being 3 million tests a “game-changer.”

The tests are among 150 million being shipped nationwide by the end of the year. Some 50 million will go to communities hit hardest by the pandemic.

Another 18 million will go to nursing homes.

And 1 million will be shipped to historically black colleges and universities.

Channel 2′s Richard Elliot caught up with Kemp in Dawsonville on Tuesday as the governor visited the famous Pool Room, which just reopened after the pandemic closed it for months.

“This is really exciting and challenging seeing small businesses reopen,” Kemp said.

Staff members expressed excitement at getting back to work, as well.

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“It was hard. It was hard on my family. You know, we had to make that decision. Ultimately, we wanted to keep everyone safe,” said Michael Garrett, who works at the restaurant.

But now the Pool Room is back open, and the siren howled again to let everyone know, including Gov. Kemp.

They usually reserve the siren for when Bill or Chase Elliot wins a NASCAR race. The duo are Dawsonville natives.

But Tuesday’s siren was for the restaurant’s own victory over the pandemic.

The federal government is sending 3 million rapid COVID-19 tests to Georgia, and Kemp said his coronavirus team is busy determining what areas will get them first but knows it will include long-term care facilities and schools.

"The whole rapid test, having 200,000 of those a week, is a game-changer because you can really move the needle very quickly on that.

Kemp believes flooding the state with tests that can deliver results in minutes rather than days can also help to fully reopen the economy.

Garrett agrees.

“In that sense, you can keep the people who are sick, sort of, at home. The ones who are not, they can get back to living their normal lives,” Garrett said.

Kemp is also cautiously optimistic about the current downward trend in COVID-19 cases across Georgia, but he warns the possibility of another spike is always right around the corner.

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Cox Media Group

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