June 4 COVID testing planned after first event sees scant turnout

With tests funded by the State, Melissa Memorial Hospital was able to offer a free testing event for COVID-19 last Wednesday, May 20. While the site had the capacity to test 50 people that morning, only 10 community members took advantage of the service.

EMS director Brady Ring, who led the operation, has planned a second drive-up event for Thursday, June 4, 8 a.m.-noon on the west side of Sunset View at 725 S. Bowman Ave. The first 50 people to drive up or walk up can be tested for COVID-19 for free. For the safety of the employees working, the scheduled hours are contingent on safe weather conditions. Precipitation, wind and cold can potentially render personal protective equipment ineffective.

To be tested, individuals should enter the prescreening area on the south side of the site. From there, they advance to the screening portion, where two employees wearing gloves and N95 masks take temperatures and collect the individual’s information on a form provided by the State.

Next is the swab. Two more employees man that station. Their personal protective equipment includes the gloves and masks plus a gown and face shields. The swab, which looks like a long Q-tip, goes deep into the nose. After the sample is collected, the swab is put into a container that is later picked up by the State for testing.

Prior to the drive-up testing, MMH had completed 50 tests total since the onset of the pandemic. Of those, nine were positive, though they weren’t all Phillips County residents. Tests completed at the hospital typically have results in 48-72 hours.

Ring said that additional plans are in the works for testing at the nursing home.

Those who are tested should stay at home while waiting for their test results. Individuals who receive positive test results from the State may be issued isolation orders.