Free County Drive-Thru/Walk-In COVID Testing Begins Thursday at 9 a.m.
LOCK HAVEN, PA – Through the efforts of the Clinton County Community Emergency Coalition and the Pennsylvania Department of Health, a free drive-thru and indoor walk-in COVID-19 testing clinic will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. beginning this Thursday, Dec. 10 and running through Monday, Dec. 14 at the Castanea Picnic Grounds, 859 Lower Creek Road in Castanea Township, adjacent to the Piper Memorial Airport.
Statistics from the state Health Department show that as of Wednesday, Dec. 9, Clinton County has recorded 6,303 negative COVID cases, to go along with 1,035 (including 41 on Wednesday) positive tests. That makes for a total of 7,338 tests conducted on county residents in a county with a population of more than 38,000. Up to 450 tests can be administered during the five-day county visit, or a maximum of 2,250 tests administered.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health has extended and expanded its initial contract with AMI Expeditionary Healthcare to provide more regional testing sites across the Commonwealth in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, resulting in the AMI visit to Clinton County.
Testing is on a first come, first serve basis, said Andrew Kremser, Director of Clinton County Department of Emergency Services.
Those seeking the test do not need to be showing symptoms or need a doctor’s recommendation to be tested. Tests will be conducted using mid-nasal passage swab and results will be available two to seven days after testing. While a majority of tests will be drive through, walk up testing is available.
The public does not need to make an appointment to be tested. Individuals three years and older qualify to be tested. Kremser added that the public is encouraged to bring their photo ID and an insurance card. If an individual does not have insurance, they will still have the ability to be tested. For minors, parents and/or guardians will need to complete a HIPPA form and have the minor’s social security number.
“The public will need to be patient with the process, as registration will be done on-site. This is the second county of regional testing and it will take some time to get through the paperwork and actual test” Kremser continued.
The Department of Emergency Services expects a large turnout for the site and is planning on collaborating with local law enforcement for traffic control and logistics.
Those seeking tests are being asked to access the Castanea Picnic Grounds clinic via Hanna Street, Lock Haven proceeding on Lower Creek Road in order to prevent a traffic back up on Water Street/Island Route, Lock Haven. In order to keep traffic moving smoothly, cars will exit the picnic grounds via Bald Eagle Street and past the Clinton County Piper Building.
AMI Expeditionary Healthcare is staffed with trained personnel and has been contracted with the Pennsylvania Department of Health to perform testing events throughout rural Pennsylvania.
