By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
More than 400 people were tested for COVID-19 in Wood County Tuesday.
In the morning, the line of cars at the drive-thru testing site snaked from behind the Wood County Health Department, past the sheriff’s office, and across the road to behind Wood Haven Health Care.
“We really hope this is a way to flatten the curve,” said Diane Krill, CEO of the Wood County Community Health Center.
People wanting tested for COVID-19 had been asked to make appointments for the first testing site set up by the health department. Approximately 470 signed up – leaving just 30 additional test kits for “walk-ins.”
Many more had to be turned away.
When the day was over, because of some no-shows, 428 tests had been performed.
“The lines were long this morning. That definitely shows there’s a desire to be tested,” said Joanne Navin, president of the health center board. “We only had a limited number of tests to do.”
Some of those seeking testing said they had been exposed to people already diagnosed with COVID-19. Some said they were experiencing symptoms, and others just wanted reassurance that they didn’t have the virus.
Those testing positive will be notified by Quest, the lab doing the test kits, and will be contacted by the Wood County Health Department.
Partnering with the health center was the Ohio National Guard, which sent 11 soldiers to assist. Bowling Green Police Division and Wood County Sheriff’s Office helped direct traffic throughout the busy morning hours.
“We really didn’t know what the response would be, but obviously people want testing,” said Krill, who added that the health center would likely host another testing event.
Though this is the first drive-thru testing at the Wood County Health Department, it was one of many for Sgt. Hayden Smith, of the Ohio National Guard unit based in Akron.
“I’ve been doing this since April,” Smith said as he took a quick lunch break to eat a sub sandwich.
Smith started testing with the National Guard at state prisons, then veterans homes and nursing homes. Like many others, he was activated to help with the testing sites full-time.
A medic, Smith said he helps people in their cars administer their own tests – counting aloud to make sure they hold the swabs up each nostril at least 10 seconds.
“We coach them through the test,” he said.
The testing comes at a time when Wood County is seeing some higher numbers for residents diagnosed with COVID-19. Over the weekend, the numbers increased by 17. And on Tuesday, the numbers had gone up by another 12, hitting a total of 379 for the county.
So in addition to getting tested, those going through the drive-thru site also got a reminder of the basic steps they need to take to avoid COVID-19:
- Wash hands frequently.
- Wear masks if inside with others.
- Maintain 6 foot distance from others.
“This is just another example of the Wood County Community Health Center’s team approach to providing health care services to everyone in the community. We feel strongly that this is the next step to take as we work to safely reopen our communities and protect against further spread of COVID-19,” Krill said.
