Mobile coronavirus testing returns to Starkville
Mobile coronavirus testing returned to Starkville Friday, and the number of tests administered dropped by more than half compared to the last time free mobile COVID-19 testing was offered by the state of Mississippi in Oktibbeha County.
Mississippi Army National Guard Chaplain Maj. Sean Mcmackin told the SDN that 84 people were scheduled to be tested for the novel coronavirus this time, of which approximately 70 had shown up as of approximately 1:30 p.m. Friday. In contrast, approximately 190
tests were given the last time free testing was available in Oktibbeha County on July 21. The testing took place at the Oktibbeha County Safe room.
“We’re seeing that across all of the sites,” Mcmackin said of the lower numbers of people being tested. “It used to be record-breaking every week, and now it’s tapered off.”
Mcmackin also said the lower numbers at the testing sites were not unique to north Mississippi, and attributed
them to the constant testing by National Guard personnel.
“It’s just because we’ve been in these communities several times,” Mcmackin said.
The testing is backed by the Mississippi State Department of Health and University of Mississippi Medical Center and is conducted by members of the Mississippi Army National Guard and Mississippi Air National Guard. Mobile testing has been available five times so far in Oktibbeha County.
Those being tested at the mobile sites were required to be screened prior to their test. Only those who had shown symptoms of the novel coronavirus or who had been in close proximity to someone who had tested positive were allowed to be tested. Test results are usually returned in three to five days.
“We’ve got teams that cover the northern part of the state, teams that cover the central part of the state and teams that cover the southern part of the state hitting the main metros and also some rural communities,” Mcmackin said.
Mcmackin also said the north Mississippi team had primarily been offering testing in rural communities, with the exception of stops in
Starkville and Tupelo.
“If anybody’s interested, they can always look on the Mississippi Department of Health website and see the testing centers listed there,” Mcmackin said. “There’s a couple of clicks, then they get to where they sign up.”
Testing at the sites is not limited to just those residing in the county where the testing is located.
MSDH coronavirus data showed 944 confirmed cases statewide for Friday. Locally, OCH Regional Medical Center reported 13 COVID-19 inpatients, with five in intensive care and five ventilated.