FAIRMONT, W.Va. — Free and open testing in connection with the coronavirus pandemic continues to become more prevalent in the Mountain State.
Testing events will increase in various counties this week.
A testing event is set for Wednesday in Marion County. Marion County Health Officer Lloyd White said it will take place at the public safety building in White Hall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. He said the health department has received approval from the governor’s office to conduct the event itself.
“I am excited to be the first and only health department in the state to offer such testing. As we continue to open back up, it is imperative that we continue to do it in a safe, responsible way,” White said. “By expanding testing, we should be able to determine the prevalence of community spread if several individuals seek the test. The test is a short nasal swab and it is not painful or uncomfortable and is easy to administer.”
The National Guard and state Bureau of Public Health will join county health departments at a fifth straight weekend of open testing beginning Friday. The two-day testing events will take place in Greenbrier, Hancock, Logan and Wood counties from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Saturday, June 13, only events will be held in Grant, Hardy and Hampshire counties.
White said plans are in the works to increase testing events in Marion County in the weeks ahead.
“I got approval from the board of education to use Monongah Elementary School. We’re going to set up at Rivesville Elementary School,” White said. “My plans are to look at the Senior Citizens Center in Mannington and maybe the Grant Town Community Center.”
The tests are being provided by LabCorp and White said availability will not be an issue.
“I just got confirmed today from LabCorp that they’re going to send us 600 tests, so if in fact we use those, and quite frankly I hope we do,” White said. “I’ve been assured we can get more tests.”
White said the testing is not limited to residents of Marion County.
“Our goal is to get people tested that want to be tested without any barriers. So, the only requirement that we have is you have to show ID and have a valid phone number so we can contact you with a positive result. So, a valid phone number and photo ID, you’re good to go,” White said.
State testing events this week:
June 12-13
Greenbrier County 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Dorie Miller Park, 2300 Rosewood Avenue, Lewisburg
Hancock County, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Weirton Event Center, Weirton
Logan County, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cora Volunteer Fire Department, Logan
Wood County, TBD
Saturday, June 13 only
Grant County 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
EA Hawse Health Center, Petersburg
Hampshire County 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
EA Hawse Health Center, Romney
Hardy County (three locations) 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
EA Hawse Health Center, Baker
EA Hawse Health Center, Moorefield
EA Hawse Health Center, Mathias