A new drive-thru testing site for the Coronavirus will open tomorrow at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds in Jackson. MPB's Kobee Vance reports.
The testing site in Jackson will be operated by the University of Mississippi Medical Center and the Mississippi State Department of Health. Up to 128 appointments a day will be available for people who show symptoms of the virus, including fever. Screenings will be done by appointment only. To get an appointment, people must answer questions either by telephone or by using a health app created by C Spire. Doctor Alan Jones is the Chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at UMMC.
"You have to have an appointment, and with that appointment we're pairing an identification number that you will have to present in order to be tested. So if you just show up, you will not be tested."
It will take 24 to 48 hours before test results are available.
Like most states, Mississippi is facing a shortage of personal protective equipment like masks, gowns and gloves. State Health Officer, Dr. Thomas Dobbs, says a lot of the supply lines have dried up.
"The Department of Health has a small amount of PPE and we plan to get every bit of that out by the first of next week and get it to people, but it is a paltry amount compared to the need."
Testing will be done seven days a week from 9 to 5. And Dr. Jones says not everyone will be screened.
"If you don't qualify for testing when you call, then you will still be given information related to COVID-19. We have to limit it to that group that we think the limit resource that we have will benefit the most."
More than 775 people in Mississippi have been tested for the virus. Dr. Dobbs says the rate of infection will continue to increase rapidly.
"We're gonna see more and more cases. We're gonna see a lot more cases. We're gonna see more deaths, unfortunately. We're at the front end of this thing so it's important for all of us to be very vigilant. Respect what's going on, but also to take those measures we know that are going to be beneficial."
Health officials are asking for patience as they anticipate high traffic and technical problems during the launch of the testing site and app.