DeKalb County, GA — The DeKalb County Board of Health announced on Jan. 5 that all COVID-19 testing conducted by the board will be suspended through Saturday, Jan. 9.

But starting Monday, the county will begin offering COVID-19 vaccines to adults aged 65 and older.

COVID-19 testing will resume on Monday, Jan. 11 and all testing will be conducted at the, Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church, 1879 Glenwood Ave. SE, Atlanta, Ga. 30316.

Explaining its decision, the Board of Health said, “Due to increased demand to quickly provide vaccines to healthcare workers during the current COVID-19 vaccination phase, the DeKalb County Board of Health is cancelling all scheduled COVID-19 testing appointments through Saturday, as it shifts its immediate focus to vaccination of healthcare workers, first responders and long-term care facility residents. Those individuals who had appointments scheduled have been notified and provided options to reschedule next week or register for testing at another location, including testing sites in neighboring counties.”

In the same press release, the Board of Health announced that it will start vaccinating people at the BrandsMart USA site in Doraville and the Former Sam’s Club in Stonecrest.

“Also, on Monday, the BrandsMart USA site in Doraville and the former Sam’s Club site in Stonecrest will shift to COVID-19 vaccination for the current phase at that time (adults age 65 and older, as well as their caretakers),” the Board of Health said. “Details regarding vaccination hours and registration will be released later this week.”

A reader asked when the vaccine would be available for community healthcare workers like employees of doctors’ offices. A spokesperson for the Health Department said, “If their practice isn’t a part of a larger healthcare system (i.e. Emory, CHOA, Grady), they can register and schedule an appointment on the Board of Health website, dekalbhealth.net. The vaccine has been allocated to the larger healthcare entities to vaccine their own staff.”

Here is the full announcement from the Board of Health:

DECATUR, Ga. – Due to increased demand to quickly provide vaccines to healthcare workers during the current COVID-19 vaccination phase, the DeKalb County Board of Health is cancelling all scheduled COVID-19 testing appointments through Saturday, as it shifts its immediate focus to vaccination of healthcare workers, first responders and long-term care facility residents.

Those individuals who had appointments scheduled have been notified and provided options to reschedule next week or register for testing at another location, including testing sites in neighboring counties.

Beginning Monday, the following site will solely be dedicated to COVID-19 testing:

Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church

1879 Glenwood Ave. SE
Atlanta, Ga. 30316

Appointments and registration for COVID-19 testing is required and available online. To ensure testing resources are available for individuals who have pre-registered for testing on their scheduled date and time, pre-registrations will be verified to ensure that the appointment date matches the actual day. Individuals scheduled for a future date will be asked to return on their scheduled day. COVID-19 testing is free and open to all individuals who wish to be tested. A driver’s license or identification card is not required.

Also, on Monday, the BrandsMart USA site in Doraville and the former Sam’s Club site in Stonecrest will shift to COVID-19 vaccination for the current phase at that time (adults age 65 and older, as well as their caretakers). Details regarding vaccination hours and registration will be released later this week.

For more information and answers to frequently asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, visit dph.georgia.gov/covid-vaccine or call 888-357-0169.

[adsanity id=”59104″ align=”alignleft” /] [adsanity id=”56211″ align=”alignright” /]

[adsanity id=”61010″ align=”alignleft” /] [adsanity id=”59208″ align=”alignright” /]

If you appreciate our work on this story, please become a paying supporter. For as little as $3 a month, you can help us keep you in the loop about your community. To become a supporter, click here. 

Want Decaturish delivered to your inbox every day? Sign up for our free newsletter by clicking here. 

[adsanity id=”56022″ align=”aligncenter” /]

[adsanity id=”59106″ align=”alignleft” /]  [adsanity id=”52166″ align=”alignright” /]