Atlanta Doctors: At-Home Rapid COVID Tests Could Help Curb Virus Spread

Atlanta doctors who are studying rapid at-home COVID-19 test kits say the tests could play a significant role in combating asymptomatic spreading of the virus.

It could also help get students back to in-person learning.

Emory University doctors recently spoke with WJBF about their roles in researching the at-home rapid tests, which is possible because of a federal grant. Testing began in June. The tests aim to yield a result in about 15 minutes.

The U.S. is purchasing about 9 million rapid at-home COVID-19 tests for about $232 million, according to WJBF.

For those eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine, the Georgia Department of Health launched an online search tool, broken down county-by-county, to find COVID-19 vaccination sites.

Officials aim to frequently update the list frequently, including as additional locations become available based on “when providers are ready to safely administer (the) vaccine, and as vaccine supply allows,” according to the Department of Public Health.

As of Tuesday (February 16), the latest data available, the Georgia Department of Health has reported more than 794,000 confirmed cases statewide. State data also show more than 14,000 confirmed deaths, more than 53,000 hospitalizations and more than 8,800 ICU admissions.

Data show that more than 6,895,000 PCR tests have been administered statewide, and more than 767,000of them have shown positive results. That’s 11.1% positive, according to the Georgia Department of Health.

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