Monongalia County Health Department will partner with the West Virginia National Guard to test individuals Friday and Saturday at three locations, in accordance with Gov. Jim Justice’s order to provide free COVID-19 testing to vulnerable populations in certain counties.
Testing will be from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday at the Big Lots parking lot in Westover, and from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at the WVU Coliseum parking lot and at Mountainview Elementary. All three sites have bus transportation available.
“This testing will be provided to people even if they don’t have symptoms,” said Dr. Lee B. Smith, MCHD executive director and county health officer. “They also won’t need a physician’s order or health insurance.”
Testing will accommodate pedestrians as well as individuals in their vehicles. Tests will be conducted on a first come, first served basis.
“While any resident of Monongalia County is eligible to get the testing, it is geared toward vulnerable populations, including minorities, those with special needs and individuals without primary health care providers,” Smith said.
In order to help notify individuals of their test results, all participants will need to provide their name, date of birth and a telephone number where test results may be reported. Monongalia County Health Department staff will be in contact with everyone who tests, letting them know if their results are positive or negative.
“In an effort to stop the spread of this viral disease, which may cause illness, hospitalization or even death, people who test positive will be asked about anyone in their family and social circle, which is called ‘contact tracing,’” Smith said. “This will allow our staff members to find other individuals who also might have been infected with COVID-19.”
Anyone who arrives for testing at any of the sites should wear a mask or face covering.
Once individuals are tested, they are asked to go home and remain there until they learn their results. This is the standard protocol for anyone tested.
The West Virginia National Guard medical staff will assist MCHD staff with nasal swabbing.
To obtain a good specimen for testing, the person performing the test places a small, flexible Q-tip-like swab in the nose, which is advanced to the back of the throat and then removed after several seconds. There is slight and temporary discomfort.
Results may take several days.
Any questions may be addressed to Monongalia County Health Department at 304-598-5100.
Frequently asked questions may be found on the health department’s website, monchd.org/covid-19.html.
For those who do have health insurance, there will be no charge or co-pay for anyone. However, MCHD would like to obtain some administration fees from the insurance company to help cover supplies and employee time, so insurance information will be requested.
