The Moore County Health Department, partnering with Goshen Medical Center, offered free testing for the coronavirus at the New Home Baptist Church in Vass Thursday.
In what was a very organized process, people didn’t have to get out of their cars to get tested. According to Miriam King from the Health Department, 64 people signed up for the event.
Samples will later be sent to a lab. Results are known in 5 days or less.
The next free testing event will be held on September 11 between 9 a.m and 1 p.m at the Health Department offices, 705 Pinehurst Avenue in Carthage.
Anyone wanting to be tested is asked to register by calling 910-267-2044 in advance. According to King, the Health Department will even accommodate people that have not preregistered. Even those without insurance are welcome.
The test was quick and easy, taking less than 10 minutes to complete. Cars with as many as three people at a time lined up around the church in the parking lot to go through the process.
Dr. Phil Gould of Goshen Medical Center was on hand at the COVID-19 mobile testing in Vass.
People were first screened by the medical staff by having their temperature taken with a touchless thermometer. Next, a meter was placed on their finger to measure blood oxygen. Finally, a nurse practitioner administered the COVID-19 nasal test using a short swab. After the test, Dr. Phil Gould from Goshen Medical answered any questions people may have had.
The results of the test are available in five days or less.
Feature photo: Sheila Brown, Nurse Practitioner, administers the short nasal swab test.
~Article and photos by Sandhills Sentinel Reporter John Patota.
