This Friday, May 8th, the Columbia County Department of Health, in partnership with Columbia Memorial Health, will conduct the first of what is planned to be a series of COVID-19 testing clinics. The clinic will take place by appointment only and is being held at Columbia-Greene Community College as a drive-through event. Priority for testing will be given to individuals meeting the following criteria: fever, cough, difficulty breathing, loss of taste or smell, and any symptoms consistent with CDC guidelines. Residents that meet the criteria for testing are asked to fill out an online screening form. Once completed, the form will be evaluated by County Department of Health staff and residents will be prioritized for testing. Columbia County Department of Health staff will call residents who qualify for testing and provide them with their appointment time and PIN number. The PIN number and a form of identification will need to be presented at the testing site. Residents being tested will stay in their vehicle at all times. Two registrants per car will be permitted.
Upon leaving the test site, residents are advised to drive directly home for mandatory quarantine until results are shared with them. Those who are tested should plan to self-quarantine for up to 14 days and self-quarantine guidelines will be distributed at the collection site. Officials say it may take a few days to receive the test results. Each individual tested at the site will receive their results once processed. The testing site at Columbia-Greene Community College will be open from 10am to 2pm by appointment only. Law enforcement will be on hand to manage and direct traffic flow. Anyone coming to the site without an appointment will be instructed to leave the parking lot immediately.
Department of Health director Jack Mabb said through a press release that testing has been enabled “as a result of the incredible generosity of private donors. Through their generosity we’ve been successful in securing the purchase of 2,000 kits. To date the county has received 1,000 kits with the additional 1,000 kits expected in the coming weeks.” Mr. Mabb added, “Many of these kits have been provided to nursing homes, CMH Rapid Care, and first responders for employee testing.” One hundred of the kits will be used on May 8th for community testing, with the intention to perform additional community testing in the coming weeks.
to fill out the online screening form please visit https://forms.gle/afxfrFaDkrV7m1DF6.