Cobb Reporter

The planned initial distribution of more than 60,000 COVID-19 self-test kits to Cobb County residents was delayed due to a forecast of wintry weather leading up to test distribution day on Monday. 

The county announced Jan. 20 that 1,000 self-test kits will be distributed Sunday, Jan. 23 at Jim R. Miller Park on Callaway Road in Marietta. More kits are expected to be available soon, the county stated in a news release.

County officials had planned for an initial distribution event Monday. This was Martin Luther King Jr. Day, observing the civil rights leader “known for his work on racial equality and ending racial segregation in the United States,” National Today said. King, who was assassinated April 4, 1968, would have been 93.

“The potential of hazardous conditions lasting into Monday has impacted the planning for the distribution of COVID test kits,” the Cobb County website said.  “… the weather threat has prompted Cobb County officials to postpone any public event until later in the week. More details will be announced soon.”

Cobb County Emergency Management has been in charge of storing the kits, a Jan. 7 news release said.

“We have the resources to be able to help many of our residents who have told us getting tested for COVID-19 has been a challenge,” said Lisa Cupid, Cobb County Board of Commissioners chairwoman, in the release. “It makes sense to use these federal relief funds to help distribute test kits to help contain the spread of COVID in Cobb. … It is important for those who have COVID to know it as soon as possible so they can take action to avoid spreading it to others.”

Community transmission of coronavirus in Cobb and Douglas counties is high, with the current 14-day case rate per 100,000 standing at 2,172 for Cobb County and 2,562 for Douglas County as of Jan. 14, the Cobb and Douglas Public Health’s website said.