State announces new COVID-19 testing partnership

The state of Georgia is stepping up its coronavirus testing capacity with a new partnership.

The state is working with Raleigh, N.C.-based Mako Medical to provide enough supplies and services for 10,000 tests per day, a capacity increase that will allow Georgians to receive results within 48 hours.

“As demand for testing has soared across the country, many private labs have been unable to process tests quick enough to aid in contact tracing and mitigation efforts,” Gov. Brian Kemp said. “With some Georgians waiting well over a week for their results, the status quo is unacceptable.

“This new partnership will not only expand the number of tests the state is able to administer, but also greatly reduce the turnaround time of those tests. This is vital to Georgia’s efforts in our fight against COVID-19.”

Georgia has worked with other companies, including LabCorp, to beef up testing since the coronavirus pandemic took hold in the state back in the early spring.

“Expanded and streamlined testing is absolutely crucial,” said Kathleen Toomey, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health. “Our contract with Mako Medical will boost test processing capabilities and enable our army of contact tracers to respond quicker to newly identified cases.”

The contract with Mako was announced as the number of positive COVID-19 cases in the state reached 145,575. As of late Monday, 3,176 Georgians had died from the virus.