A free, drive-up coronavirus testing site administered by the Johnson County Health Department opens today at the Johnson County Fairgrounds.
The site, which will be able to administer up to 100 tests per day, will be open Monday through Thursday and on Saturdays until June 30, 2021. said Betsy Swearingen, health department director.
The site is made possible by a grant from the state, using CARES Act funding. Counties receiving a grant are allotted $100,000 to open a test site to operate 30 hours per week, Swearingen said. The state is also providing test kits, personal protective equipment, a tracking platform for the tests, laboratory services and courier service to get tests to the lab, she said.
The guidelines of the grant allow anyone to be tested at the site for free, Swearingen said. There is no age, symptom or Johnson County residency requirement and a prescription is not needed.
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Tests are being administered by trained off-duty local paramedics and EMTs who are being compensated as part-time, temporary employees of the health department with grant funds, Swearingen said. Health department nurses also will help as needed, but they will focus on normal business for most of their workday, she said.
Patients enter the site at the Morton Street side of the fairgrounds and will follow the signs toward the test site. Patients will give their information to an administrator stationed along the route, then continue forward to receive a nasal pharyngeal swab test.
Patients will exit at the Jefferson Street entrance to the fairgrounds after their test.
Patients should prepare for a long wait, particularly on the first few days of testing before the scheduling site is up and while kinks in the process are being ironed out, Swearingen said.
When the platform is ready, individuals will be strongly encouraged to register for an appointment on an online scheduling website. Those without an appointment are still welcome anytime, but will have an increased wait-time, Swearingen said.
The website was still not ready at press time but it will be shared when it becomes available.
Results are expected to be returned within 48 hours, according to an estimate provided to the health department. However, during busier testing periods, results may take longer, Swearingen said.
Test-takers, especially those with possible or known exposure to COVID-19, are reminded to stay home until their results are back to avoid spreading the virus to others, she said.
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What: COVID-19 testing from Johnson County Health Department
Who: Tests will be administered by paramedics and EMTs from local fire departments, or by a health department nurse.
Where: Johnson County Fairgrounds, 250 Fairground Street, Franklin; enter at the Morton Street entrance to the fairgrounds between Dairy Queen and Wendy’s.
When: Monday and Wednesday 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; today to June 30, 2021. Closed Friday and Sunday.
Requirements:
- Indiana resident
- All ages welcome with child-size swabs available
- No prescription needed
- Not required to have symptoms or potential exposure to COVID-19.
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