Dr. Charles Rouse and Dr. Laura Larson, two highly respected medical figures in our community have been working in concert to assemble a team to join them in the efforts of making free testing available in our community.  The support quickly grew to six Churches spread out over the county.  When they approached the idea to set up multiple test sites over a two week period with Chairman Michelle Morgan, she reached out to the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department and Emergency Management and the planning began.  The hopes behind the community wide effort is to assist in getting more people tested and relieve the burden of going to a Hospital or Doctor’s office and paying for a test.  The more people tested the more lives can be saved.  Some people may not know if they have the virus because they may not exhibit any symptoms.  People who are asymptomatic may pass the virus and never know they have it before exposing other individuals.

Tim Padgett, Emergency Management Director, stated “It is a privilege to participate and assist in this effort to support the Churches efforts to provide a safer and healthier community for everyone.” Chairman Morgan and Director Padgett have been working very closely with Major Craig Dodson from the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office to ensure the testing sites are prepared with the safest entry and exit strategies for the community to participate and not have to wait in long lines or cause a traffic jam.

Major Dodson advised, “The Sheriff’s Office is working to provide a clear traffic safety plan to ensure that testing is as safe and efficient as possible.”

Chairman Morgan has visited several testing sites in recent weeks after the idea developed and even participated in being tested for COVID-19 herself at the site in Coweta County so that she can share her experience with the citizens in hopes that it will make people feel more comfortable getting  tested. Chairman Morgan advised, “The test was not bad as I anticipated and I learned so much from visiting the testing sites and participating in having the test performed.  I knew it was a must for Carroll County and I thank Dr. Rouse, Dr. Larson, and the Churches for spearheading this community wide effort.”

The goal is to not just slow the spread, but to stop the spread by continuing to test, educate, and hoping those who test positive will quarantine to keep others safe so together we can beat this virus. We are so lucky to have a group of respected Church leaders who have come together to plan and gather support for their efforts. As you may have seen in the early stages of COVID-19 places of Worship were linked to hot spots and as many Churches plan to move towards gathering together again while taking extra steps to ensure everyone’s safety, the congregations have all agreed they will feel safer and healthier walking into a Worship Service knowing they took the extra step to get tested.

The idea branched off into not just testing the congregations but extended the effort community wide. Carroll County is so lucky to have such strong spiritually leaders who not only look out and pray for their congregations but also extend their  generosity beyond to our citizens and community as a whole.

Testing sites, dates, times, and further information is as follows:

NO appointment & NO symptoms are needed

WALK-UPS are welcome

MONDAY JUNE 8, 2020

MOORE’S CHAPEL UNITED METHODIST

REVEREND EDWARD LANDRUM

120 N. PARK STREET

CARROLLTON, GA 30117

TUESDAY JUNE 9, 2020

OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP CATHOLIC CHURCH

MSGR. JAMIE VARON/GYLA GONZALEZ

CARROLLTON, GA 30117

TUESDAY JUNE 10, 2020

REVEREND DR. WOODROW JOHNSON

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF CARROLLTON

563 OLD BREMEN ROAD

CARROLLTON, GA 0117

MONDAY JUNE 15, 2020

1. BERNICE BROOKS/ PASTOR JAMES E. POTTS

MOUNT PROSPECT BAPTIST CHURCH

133 THOMAS DORSEY DRIVE

VILLA RICA, GA 30180

TUESDAY JUNE 16, 2020

PASTOR FREDERICK RICKS

PLEASANT GROVE MISSIONARY

BAPTIST CHURCH

85 EAST HIGHWAY 5

ROOPVILLE, GA 30170

WEDNESDAY 17, 2020

PASTOR VINCENT DORTCH OF ANTIOCH BAPTIST CHURCH

CLEM COMMUNITY CENTER

2675 HIGHWAY 16

CARROLLTON, GA 30116REGISTRATION IS RECOMMENDED/ TESTING 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

1-800-847-4262 OR VISIT: HTTPS://COVID19.DPH.GA.GOV/

Sponsored By:

Georgia Department of Public Health

Supported By:

Dr. Charlie Rouse

Dr. Laura Larson

Michelle Morgan, Carroll County Commission Chair

Carroll County Sheriff’s Office

Carroll County Emergency Management