Chad Price and Mako Medical Laboratories To Offer Free COVID-19 Testing in Ellijay
MAKO Medical Laboratories—a leading healthcare brand founded by entrepreneur Chad Price—is offering free COVID-19 testing to the Ellijay community. The drive-thru testing center opened at the Gilmer County Health Department parking lot last Wednesday at 8 AM. The center will be open on Mondays and Wednesdays between 8 AM and 3 PM, and on Fridays between 8 AM and 12 PM. Meaning, locals will have the opportunity to access free COVID-19 testing.
The experts at the Gilmer County site will be offering those who attend PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests. The process involves a nasal swab, which the experts use to determine the presence of the virus that leads to COVID-19. The new site is part of a partnership between MAKO Medical Laboratories and the Georgia Department of Public Health. It is the third of three new testing sites to open. The other two MAKO Medical Laboratories operated sites are in Dalton and Canton.
The tests are an invaluable public service to Georgia residents. Individuals who have any COVID-19 symptoms or have been in contact with people who have tested positive must have a PCR test. It doesn’t matter whether these people have been fully vaccinated—the test is a vital part of stopping the spread. Fortunately enough, anyone with a Georgia address can register for free on the MAKO Medical website. Additionally, residents can find more information directly on the North Georgia Health District site.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out at the start of 2019, Chad Price has been at the forefront of both testing and research. The entrepreneur quickly adapted his two laboratories to manage virus testing and provide valuable information to public bodies. Over the last year and a half, the MAKO Medical Laboratories has grown significantly, from 350 employees to over 1,000. What’s more, Chad Price extended one of the laboratory sites, effectively doubling the amount of tests experts could process.
MAKO Medical Laboratories has also been involved in large-scale research projects. In April this year, Congress offered $1.7 billion in funding to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to support its genome sequencing activities. The injection of money helped the CDC establish partnerships with leading medical companies, including MAKO Medical Laboratories. The funding has helped companies create a stable genetic-based system of disease reconnaissance. In the months to come, it means that experts will be able to use the system to identify new microbes that could be a threat to public health.
“The MAKO team is proud to partner with the Centers for Disease Control to provide sequencing services for samples from across the country,” said Josh Arant, Chief Operating Officer, MAKO Medical. “For the past year, our team has been committed to providing rapid, reliable results to patients and providers across forty-three states. We recognized the need to introduce sequencing for a portion of samples our team collected earlier this year and are honored to apply that experience in this partnership.”
Since the start of 2021, the MAKO Medical Laboratories team has used sequencing processes to analyze more than 2,5000 samples from tests in 43 states. During that time, the experts have identified several new versions of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, including the B.1.1.7, B.1.351, and B.1.429 variants. As well as offering the larger community free PCR testing, the experts are continually working to identify new mutations of the virus.
“Over the past several months, our sequencing team has identified the emergence of strains like the United Kingdom B.1.1.7, South African, and Denmark variants in states across the country,” said Steve Hoover, Vice President of Laboratory Operations, MAKO Medical. “As new strains are defined, MAKO continues to sequence samples and provide much-needed data to public health professionals.”
As the pandemic continues, Chad Price and MAKO Medical Laboratories are helping to curb the spread while offering insightful information. The free testing center in Ellijay is the latest way that the team is supporting the local community and ensuring the safety of Georgia residents.
About MAKO Medical Laboratories
Supported by an expert team of nationally recognized doctors and PhDs, MAKO Medical Laboratories specializes in methodology development and pathological services. The game-changing testing company and labs prioritize patients by offering transparency.
Started in 2014 by Chad Price, Adam Price, and Josh Arant, it aims to disrupt the sector. Additionally, MAKO Medical offers support to veterans. The company combines a wealth of new technology, including robotics, app platforms, and cloud-based tech. In response to the pandemic, the laboratories have adapted their services to offer accurate testing.
Chad Price is the CEO of MAKO Medical Laboratories. He has had a long entrepreneurial career previously co-founding BrideGenie and founding Element Services Group Mechanical LLC. He has played a major role in starting Cary Reconstruction and is a board member for Trill A.I. Moreover, he currently offers tailored consulting services to companies embarking on new mergers or primed for growth.
