When testing started Wednesday morning at the Johnson County National Guard Armory, one family that showed up for testing said the site was in disarray, with long wait times and without clear instructions.
The Franklin test site is among 20 OptumServe sites that opened this week, with 30 more set to go online next week, allowing symptomatic and high-risk individuals to be tested for free. OptumServe provides health services and proven expertise to help federal agencies tackle some of the biggest challenges in health care, according to its website.
Discrepancies about the type of site caused headaches for individuals who were among the first to be tested. When the site went live on the Indiana State Department of Health’s website, it was labeled as a drive-thru location. The error was corrected Thursday afternoon.
A discrepancy regarding test site hours remained an issue Thursday. While signs at the entry to the Franklin site on Wednesday and Thursday said testing is available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, the ISDH website says the hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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Click here to purchase photos from this galleryVicky Calvert signed herself and her parents up for testing appointments starting at 9 a.m. Wednesday. The Franklin family did not get what they bargained for, she said.
When the family arrived, they saw no drive-thru, so they sat in their car watching minutes pass, unsure of what to do, Calvert said. When a nurse came outside for a break, they talked to her and discovered they had to go inside for a test, she said.
When her elderly parents found out they had to go inside, they balked at the idea and left without being tested. Calvert’s mother, Rosie Scott, 78, said she would not have signed up if the information on the state’s website matched the reality.
“We left because this isn’t what we signed up for,” Scott said. “Everyone is touching the door. Nobody is sanitizing it. This is not what the governor is preaching everyday.”
The family called ISDH, the governor’s office and the Johnson County Health Department to get answers. Calvert was referred to the local health department for answers by the governor’s office and ISDH, she said.
The county health department confirmed they received complaints and visited the site Wednesday, but traffic was blocking the way, so staff members were unable to investigate, said Betsy Swearingen, director of the county health department. Since the site was set up by the state, Swearingen does not have specific information about it and has asked ISDH to investigate it further, she said.
During a news conference Thursday, state health commissioner Dr. Kristina Box said she didn’t expect the first day to be perfect.
“I don’t think anything ever opens and is absolutely perfect on the first day, so I really respect that we’ve got this up and running,” she said.
She also acknowledged that some individuals may have been confused about who could receive tests. The OptumServe sites changed the criteria for testing to allow asymptomatic people in high-risk groups, such as people over age 65 and those with underlying health conditions, to sign up for a test in addition to those who already have symptoms. This was not an option on the online sign-up form Wednesday, so Box understood why people may have been confused, she said.
Many of the new testing locations are at Indiana National Guard sites, which were selected due to expediency, since they could be opened and staffed quickly, said a spokesperson with the Indiana Joint Information Center (IJIC), a COVID-19 information center staffed by communications personnel from multiple state agencies. The remaining 30 sites are being selected in consultation with local health departments based on areas of need, IJIC said.
About 132 tests can be performed daily at each site. This creates a capacity to perform up to 6,600 more tests daily once all 50 OptumServe sites open, IJIC said.
The site was better prepared for test-takers later in the day Wednesday. By 5 p.m., the site had posted clear instructions with “Enter” and “Exit” signs on doorways and a sign in the parking lot indicating people have to get out of their car. The door was also open so individuals would not have to touch the door to enter.
Others who took tests at the site, such as Dave and Edna Walters of Whiteland, felt safe, even if going inside the building for a test was not ideal, they said.
“They kept us apart and sanitized everything,” Edna Walters said. “I was not concerned. We carry masks and hand sanitizer and wipes with us everywhere, so we were OK.”
Staff members performing the tests at the Franklin site wear masks, and change gloves and wash hands between each person, according to IJIC. They are being particularly cautious to change all personal protective equipment when a patient coughs or sneezes directly on them, IJIC said.
Precautions are in place to promote social distancing. These include allowing a limited number of patients in the testing space and encouraging six feet of distance between patients, IJIC said.
To further limit exposure, the state is encouraging patients to register for a test appointment online.
The test that’s being given is administered as a nasal swab. It involves a large swab that is pushed deep into the nasal passage to collect nasal droplets. The test was uncomfortable due to how deep the swab has to go inside the nose, Edna Walters said.
Daily Journal reporter Leeann Doerflein contributed to this report.
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Who can get a test?
Testing is open to individuals who are symptomatic, at high risk, or came into close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
Who is at high risk?
ISDH defines high risk as: those over age 65, who have diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure or another underlying condition, or are a member of an at-risk minority group. This also includes those who have close contact with these individuals.
Where do I go?
The test site is at the Johnson County National Guard Armory, 325 Minuteman Way, Franklin. Test-takers should follow the cones back to the test site, park their car and wait in line at the test entrance.
How much is a test?
The test is free, but Hoosiers who have insurance are asked to provide their insurance card at the time of the test.
Where do I sign up?
To register for an appointment visit lhi.care/covidtesting or call 888-634-1116.
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