COVID-19 Testing and Treatment

Tanner Health System is providing the following information on COVID-19 testing and pre-hospitalization treatment options. Tanner is following CDC guidelines on testing.

COVID-19 testing

Rapid testing

Where can you get this test? Most urgent care providers can perform this test.

Do you need a physician's order? Based on symptoms and medical history and a physician's order, Tanner's emergency departments may also provide rapid testing. Check with your primary care physician to determine the best test and testing site for you.

PCR testing

Where can you get this test? Most urgent care centers and walk-in clinics provide the collection for this test based on a provider's order. Our emergency departments also can collect a specimen if your primary care physician orders the test.

Do you need a physician's order? Check with your primary care physician to decide the best test and testing site for you. The Georgia Department of Public Health website has locations that provide this test. Not all require a provider's order.

Monoclonal antibody treatment

• Tanner Medical Center/Carrollton Emergency Department
• Tanner Medical Center/Villa Rica Emergency Department
• Higgins General Hospital
• Tanner Medical Center/East Alabama

Where can I get a booster shot?

At this time, a third dose of the vaccine is only recommended for individuals who are moderately to severely immunocompromised. Third-dose clinics are being planned. When we schedule third-dose clinics, you will find them here.

If you are sick or think you’ve been exposed, you may not need a test.

Take precautionary measures to limit the spread of the virus. Self-isolate within your home, don’t leave and contact your medical provider for further instructions.

If you are very sick, you should seek medical attention. Call your medical provider.

If you experience problems breathing, bluish lips or face, persistent pain or pressure in your chest or other severe symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. If you call 911, tell the dispatcher that you may have COVID-19 so the EMS workers responding can limit their exposure.

You don’t need a positive COVID-19 test to self-isolate.

If you think you may have COVID-19, take preventive measures now to protect yourself, your loved ones and the community. Read the CDC’s latest guidelines.

You can also find advice on caring for yourself at home.

Publicly Reporting Positive Tests

We report positive COVID-19 test results to the Georgia Department of Public Health/Alabama Department of Public Health, which track the virus. Each agency keeps a tally of positive cases by county:

• Alabama Department of Public Health COVID-19 page
• Georgia Department of Public Health COVID-19 page
• Nationwide cases from CDC

State agencies are the most reliable source for accurate information on if — and to what extent — COVID-19 is active within your community.

For transparency, we are sharing information with our community. You can see the most current count of COVID-19 tests on Tanner COVID-19 Updates.

For the latest information, subscribe to our Coronavirus 2019 Update newsletter.