Effingham Co. resident tests positive for COVID-19; being treated at Memorial Health in Savannah

EFFINGHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - The Coastal Health District confirms an Effingham County resident has tested positive for COVID-19.

The person is currently hospitalized and their source of exposure is unknown. The patient was tested by a private lab, according to Memorial Health in Savannah. The patient has been in isolation at Memorial.

Coastal Health District epidemiologists are gathering more information which can be used to notify others who may have had close contact with the individual. This is the third resident in the Coastal Health District to test positive.

The Georgia Department of Public Health also addressed people wanting to get tested in their latest release. Widespread community testing is not yet available. They say testing must be prioritized, as testing capacity and medical supplies are limited. Priority individuals include:

Persons 65 and older
Those with chronic, underlying health conditions
Those who live in a long-term care facility like an assisted living facility or nursing home
Those serving on the front lines as a healthcare worker, first responder, long-term care facility staffer, or law enforcement officer.