We prioritize COVID-19 testing among residents and staff because we know that testing helps us better manage the spread of this virus. To date, all residents and onsite staff—including staff employed by our dietary and therapy partners— have been tested for COVID-19, and we are conducting routine re-testing.

• On June 30, 2020 Governor Kemp signed House Bill 987, which includes measures to protect Georgia’s older adults who reside in senior care facilities. Included in the bill was a mandate that all residents and staff in long-term care communities get tested for COVID-19 within 90 days of the bill. We have met this requirement.
• As we continue to adapt during this fast-moving and ever-evolving pandemic, we have received legal and regulatory requirements that mandate routine COVID-19 testing. We are complying with these requirements and we have a testing plan in place that outlines the frequency of testing which is based on several factors including the prevalence of COVID-19 in our surrounding communities, new cases that emerge in our homes, and other factors.
• As testing supplies are available, we conduct on-site COVID-19 testing using both the rapid tests (antigen test) as well as the more reliable, viral test (polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, test). Click here for more information about these types of tests.
• The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has equipped nursing homes with antigen testing machines, and we also have an additional antigen testing machine in each of our communities. Additionally, we recently received PCR testing machines in each of our A.G. Rhodes communities which allows us to more quickly and reliably confirm cases.

Updated on Nov. 10, 2020