Drive-thru rapid COVID testing event to be held Friday at Lorain County Health & Dentistry

LORAIN — Rapid testing for COVID-19 will be available from Lorain County Health & Dentistry on Friday morning at a free communitywide testing event. The drive-thru event will be 7:30-11:30 a.m. Friday at 1205 Broadway, Lorain. Members of the public who want to be tested will enter the testing center line northbound on Broadway and receive their nasal swab through an open window. Walk-ups will not be permitted, according to a news release. Lorain Auxiliary Police will assist with traffic control. No preregistration is required. The testing event will be first-come, first-served, with testing beginning at 7:30 a.m. According to Lorain County Health & Dentistry, testing is available for people of all ages even if they do not have COVID-19 symptoms, a doctor's order or insurance. Testing will be free and no questions about insurance will be asked. In a statement, LCH&D President and CEO Stephanie Wiersma said the health center is prepared to administer 500 rapid antigen tests, and expects to see "a high positivity rate." "We will urge those who test positive to isolate to slow the spread of the virus and protect others," Wiersma said. Chief Operating Officer Troy Chaffin described the drive-thru process as "seamless." He said when people pull their vehicles into the testing center, a nurse will do a nasal swab for as many people in the vehicle who desire it. "Within 30 minutes, we will phone those who test positive and will urge them to isolate and take all reasonable safety precautions," Chaffin said. "We have an efficient process and expect we will do 500 tests in a four-hour period." Wiersma said Friday's event is timed to be about a week after the Christmas holidays, when some people may have been exposed to the virus during gatherings. It is also prior to New Year's Eve festivities. "We are hosting this event because we want to lessen the spread locally and keep everyone as safe as possible. If your test result is positive, or you don't feel well for any reason, please don't venture out including for New Year's Eve celebrations," she said. Lorain County Health & Dentistry is one of the area locations where residents can receive a COVID-19 vaccination. The health center provides the COVID-19 Moderna vaccine for its patients during a primary care visit and for all others by appointment at the 1205 Broadway drive-thru testing center, according to the news release. The Moderna booster will be provided at no cost by appointment only on Fridays in January. Lorain County Health & Dentistry's vaccine call center can be reached at (440) 240-2121 for more information or to schedule a vaccine series or booster. More information about local vaccine providers can be found at www.loraincountyhealth.com/coronavirus.