Governor Brian Kemp announced today that a new plan to utilize laboratory resources from the University System of Georgia, Georgia Public Health Laboratory and Emory University will allow for processing of around 3,000 tests per day for COVID-19.
This laboratory surge capacity plan will allow Georgia universities to transfer equipment needed for the testing of COVID-19 to accredited clinical labs to complete the tests. The Governor’s Office has purchased enough equipment to increase the number of test results in the next five to seven days.
"Adequate testing for COVID-19 has continued to be a top priority for the Coronavirus Task Force as we fight this pandemic," said Governor Kemp in a news release. "With this innovative partnership between state government agencies, our world-class research institutions, and private-sector partners, we will be able to dramatically increase testing capacity."
The Laboratory Surge Capacity Task Force is working with the Georgia Department Health to transition into the plan. While testing supplies have been limited, Governor Kemp authorized the task force to allow new methods and technologies to ensure labs’ continued testing.
