By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Jeff Chapman was looking for some peace of mind Wednesday as he waited in a short line at the first drive-thru COVID-19 testing site in Wood County.
“I’ve been working in a grocery store,” Chapman said, cracking his window to talk. “And I have a cough.”
Chapman was one of 81 people who had signed up for testing Wednesday at the site operated by Kroger, and set up in a series of drive-thru tents in the parking lot of Bowling Green State University’s Perry Field House.
He was so appreciative, he offered a box of Little Debbie Nutty Buddy Bars to the pharmacy staff in the swabbing tent. That was the first snack the testing crew had been offered. They declined – but thanked Chapman for the gesture, their eyes doing the smiling since their mouths were masked.
Within 72 hours Chapman and the others tested will get the results of their nasal swab samples. If the test is negative, he will get an email notification. If the test is positive for COVID-19, he will get a phone call.
The tests are free – and with a little coaching from Kroger pharmacy staff, people in their vehicles gather their own samples. That means, you shove the swab up your own nose.
So if people aren’t teared up when they leave, they probably didn’t push the swab up far enough, said Matt Mustaine, Kroger pharmacy coordinator for Northwest Ohio.
“They are crying because they had jammed that up their noses,” Mustaine said.
Despite that momentary discomfort, people getting the free drive-thru tests are appreciative, as evidenced by waves and occasional “thank you” signs held up to windows of their vehicles, he said.
“We’ve had very positive comments,” Mustaine said.
Wood County Health Department officials have tried to get more testing kits for local residents, but have consistently found the availability of tests lacking. So when Kroger officials approached the health department, the agency was pleased that a drive-thru site would be offered locally, and BGSU was suggested as the ideal location.
“More testing is good,” said Alex Aspacher, communications outreach coordinator for the Wood County Health Department.
And having self-administered swabbing is beneficial since it increases the number of tests that can be provided while conserving the personal protective equipment used, according to Mustaine.
The drive-thru testing will continue Thursday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., outside the field house at 801 N. Mercer Road, Bowling Green. People can register for the tests at http://krogerhealth.com/covidtesting.
People wanting to be tested can register at the last minute – and can do it online right as they pull into the field house parking lot, Mustaine said.
Testing will continue into May, so people are encouraged to visit http://krogerhealth.com/covidtesting for future dates.
The tests are still reserved for people who meet certain criteria. A virtual screening tool based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines can be used so people can see if they are eligible. Those who are eligible for the testing include CDC Priority 1, 2 and 3. Criteria for testing includes people with COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath) who:
- Are healthcare workers
- Are first responders (EMS, fire, law enforcement)
- Are 65 years of age or older
- Are critical infrastructure workers with symptoms
- Have a chronic health condition (heart disease, lung disease or an immune-system-lowering condition, such as diabetes)
- Experience mild symptoms and live in communities with high numbers of COVID-19 hospitalizations
When the patient arrives for a test, they should have a photo ID ready and leave their windows rolled up for check-in. A healthcare practitioner will approach the car and alert the patient when to roll down their window.
