HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Marshall University is cutting back on services connected to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A drive-through testing location at Marshall University Medical Center/Cabell Huntington Hospital and Marshall Health’s COVID-19 hotline will not operate after Friday.
Marshall Health Chief Medical Officer Joe Evans said the demand just isn’t there anymore.
“In early January, we averaged almost 350 tests a day, almost 500 tests some days. Now, we’re doing 20 tests a day. Same with the hotline where we’re getting less than five calls a day,” Evans said.
The change signals a shift in the pandemic, Evans said, but they’ll still be ready to respond if they need to bring back testing sites.
“We’ve done over 70,000 drive through tests in the last two years, and yes, it’s very exciting that COVID numbers are down, but we’ll keep an eye on COVID infections and respond appropriately,” he said.
Services in the community are not going away completely. The Cabell-Huntington Health Department is still providing a COVID-19 drive-through testing site from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Testing is also available for patients with symptoms at Marshall Pediatrics NowCare, Cabell Huntington Hospital Family Urgent Care and St. Mary’s Urgent Care.
“Folks can also call their doctor’s office for advice and information,” Evans said.
Evans said he believes they’re not receiving as many comments or concerns because education about the virus has grown since they started providing services in March 2020.
“I think the public at large has learned a lot about COVID over the last two years and there are fewer questions than when this whole thing started,” he said.