SYLACAUGA, Ala. – By 1:00, over 60 tests Coronavirus drive-thru tests had been conducted at the former Food World building in Sylacauga on Wednesday.
The scene felt like something out of a movie as people anxiously drove up to a police officer detailing the rules, a screening process tent with half a dozen healthcare workers, and then, if meeting the criteria, a COVID-19 testing tent.
Many people who came, according to Robbie Stubbs, RN and Emergency Preparedness Director for the Northeastern Public Health District, did not meet the testing qualifications, but many others did.
“The biggest thing is that you had to meet the criteria to get tested. We did have to turn a few people away that did not meet the criteria,” Stubbs said.
Some of the criteria included being symptomatic, comorbidity, and coming into contact with a confirmed case.
Regardless if you have been tested, Stubbs explained if you have symptoms, you should already be in a self-quarantine. “We’re here to find the positive test results, but if anyone is sick they need to isolate for the 14 days,” she said.
Wednesday’s tests will be sent to the state lab, and all people tested, including the negative tests, will be contacted with their findings. Results will be delivered in up to four days, much faster than tests from previous weeks.
“They may come back faster than that, but with drive-thru testing all over the state, it could take up to four days,” Stubbs said.
EMA will hold another drive-thru test on Friday at the Talladega Superspeedway.
Final test counts will be released at a later time by the EMA.
