COVID-19 Testing in West Georgia

Free drive-thru COVID-19 testing is available several times a week at the Carroll County Health Department in Carrollton.

Testing is available each Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

No physician order is necessary for testing, but registration is encouraged in advance.

The Carroll County Health Department is located at:

1004 Newnan Road, Carrollton, GA 30117

Just off the Highway 166 Bypass, Next to the Carroll County Jail/Jack T. Bell Detention Center and Carroll County Veterans Memorial Park. It’s across Newnan Road from West Georgia Technical College’s Carrollton campus.

The site offers PCR testing, with a nasal swab used to collect a sample. This is not an antigen, or “rapid,” COVID-19 test. PCR tests are more sensitive and accurate than antigen tests.

Samples are sent to a lab for analysis, and you will be informed of your results within a few days. Ensure that your registration information is correct so you can be contacted following your test.

Through the Georgia Department of Public Health, COVID-19 testing is available to every resident of Georgia, whether or not they have symptoms.

What should I do while I wait for my COVID test results?

If you suspect you may have COVID-19, it’s important to quarantine until you receive your test result.

• Stay home and avoid contact with people who have not been exposed or who do not have symptoms.
• Rest and drink plenty of fluids.
• Contact your medical provider.
• Watch for a fever (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit)
• Do not share a vehicle with others

If you develop severe symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. Be sure to inform them that you may have COVID.

Severe symptoms may include:

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion
• Inability to wake or stay awake
• Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone
Source: CDC

Get the latest advice from the CDC.

What should I do if I get a positive COVID-19 test result?

If you receive a positive COVID-19 test result — or if you have COVID-19 symptoms or have been told by a medical provider that you’re suspected of having COVID-19 — you should isolate yourself at home.

Get home isolation instructions from Georgia DPH.

What is PCR testing?

PCR stands for polymerase chain reaction. The test is effective at finding genetical material from a given organism — in this case, the coronavirus.

Samples are collected by carefully inserting a cotton-tipped swab into the nasal passage. The sample is then sent to a laboratory that can determine if the virus is present.