Lorain County Health & Dentistry offers coronavirus tests at the Elyria City Hall parking lot.

Lorain County Health & Dentistry, a community health center, and the largest safety-net provider of primary and preventive health care in Lorain County, now offers novel coronavirus testing at 131 Court St. in the Elyria City Hall parking lot.

Testing is available two days per week every Wednesday and Friday and is by appointment only, according to a news release from the city.

Appointments are available between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. beginning Aug. 12., according to a news release.

Those interested in being tested should call Lorain County Health & Dentistry at 440-240-1655 for an appointment.

Callers who are not established patients of Lorain County Health & Dentistry must first have a telehealth visit with a LCH&D provider in order to receive a testing order.

Testing on Wednesdays and Fridays in Elyria is “curbside” in the City Hall parking lot beside the Health & Dentistry Medical Mobile Unit.

Those to be tested should arrive at their appointed time and remain in their vehicle.

A properly protected Health & Dentistry staff member will approach the vehicle to confirm the appointment and collect the specimen.

Health & Dentistry uses LabCorp to process specimens.

Results are generally available in three to five days, said the release.

Health & Dentistry also offers curbside COVID-19 testing at 1205 Broadway in Lorain, by appointment only, Monday through Friday.

“Our mission is to serve and our commitment to the community goes very deep,” said Stephanie Wiersma, president and CEO of Lorain County Health & Dentistry. “We are happy to improve access to COVID testing for all persons, especially those who are most vulnerable, and including those without symptoms.

“In Lorain County, our health center is the ‘go-to’ source for COVID-19 testing. But, I invite the community to access all of our services, including primary medical, dental and eye care offered at seven sites in Lorain, Elyria and Oberlin.”

“Ensuring our residents have access to COVID-19 testing is one of our top priorities,” said Elyria Mayor Frank Whitfield. “We’re glad to partner with Lorain County Health & Dentistry again to administer this testing, and look forward to more Elyrians having this life-preserving information.

“We hope Elyrians take advantage of this opportunity as they begin going back to work and school.”

“Testing is an important tool for community health and safety whether or not you have symptoms,” said Dr. Jennifer Casey, medical officer at Lorain County Health & Dentistry. “We want to reduce the spread of the virus in our community.

“Early testing and identification of persons with the virus means we can better manage those affected and implement measures to protect others.

Lorain County Health & Dentistry, a not-for-profit Community Health Center, provides primary and preventative medical and dental care to people of Lorain County, and surrounding counties, regardless of ability to pay.

Operating seven sites in Lorain County, the health center offers both on-site and telehealth visits. New patients are welcome.

In 2019, Lorain County Health & Dentistry served 15,255 unduplicated patients in 51,255 visits.