by KATE EVANS
The Morgan County Health Department and the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources are sponsoring a free COVID-19 drive-through and walk-up testing event on Wednesday, September 9 from 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m. at the Morgan County Health Department.
The Health Department is located at 137 War Memorial Drive in Berkeley Springs in the Pines Opportunity Center Complex, which is the former War Memorial Hospital facility.
The testing is free and available to all Morgan County residents.
Those attending should bring identification and contact information such as a driver’s license or proof of address to help in returning test results and to follow-up if needed after testing.
Those under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Testing will be done on a first-come, first serve basis.
Vehicles should enter from the lower parking lot from Fairfax Street and follow the direction of traffic control personnel and signage.
After being tested, participants should self-quarantine until they receive their results, said health officials. Call the Morgan County Health Department at 304-258-1513 for more information.
Jennifer Schetrompf, Berkeley/Morgan County Health Department Threat Preparedness and Health Promotion Coordinator, said that while the testing site isn’t being used to draw people in from other areas for testing, no one will be turned away from the testing site due to their county of residence.
Testing officials don’t use IDs to verify test attendees’ county of residence, but require them for correct information for testing follow-up communication as needed.
Test results for each individual are reported under their county of residence, Schetrompf said.
The testing will be a COVID-19 swab test. Schetrompf estimated the typical turn-around time for lab results to be about three to five days, depending on the lab that’s used and the number of tests they’re receiving then.
Those who are tested will be given information on how to access their COVID-19 test results through the lab’s portal. Anyone that tests positive will be contacted directly by the Health Department.
The Health Department works with different community partners and volunteers to fill positions to staff the testing site.
Anyone that’s interested in volunteering to help in a medical or non-medical capacity can contact Schetrompf at Jennifer.R.Schetrompf@wv.gov.