Charles Patterson, CCCHD Commissioner, said eager residents began forming a line the backed up into the middle school’s parking lot by late morning so the district stared the testing - scheduled for noon - an hour early.
“We are really happy that people are coming out and getting tested. They are actually doing a community service to us by getting tested,” Patterson said. “We know that 30% to 50% of (coronavirus cases) are not going to be symptomatic or go to a doctor, so they are just never going to know they have it. This is us helping us identify where the virus is in the community and how we can slow it down.”
The district wanted to put on the free clinic after Gov. Mike DeWine called three Cark County area codes (45503, 45505, 45506) “coronavirus hotspots” late last month.
MORE: Health district, Springfield offering three free testing clinics
Patterson said holding a free pop-up clinic in those zip codes, like the one on Wednesday, is the only way the county will be able to cut down on the number of positive cases over time.
“Testing and tracing are our way out of this. That’s how we are reopening Ohio responsibly. We are going to test, find out where those people are who have it, we are going to contact trace and we are going to slow the spread of the virus by using those means,” Patterson said.
Yvonne McLaughin said even though she doesn’t live in one of the county’s hotspot zip codes, she wanted to get tested for peace of mind.
“Why not know? I’m around my children and my grandchildren and I would not want to infect them. Why not just be safe and know, that way I know I can protect them,” McLaughlin said after her test. “So why not just enjoy going out, getting some fresh air, and helping your neighbor? We’re protecting other people if we are asymptomatic.”
McLaughlin brought along her 7-year-old grandson Brayden McLaughlin to the clinic. She said she felt it was important to show him the importance of getting a test to help out the community.
MORE FROM RILEY NEWTON: Clark County child 8th in the state to be diagnosed with new rare syndrome associated with coronavirus
Brayden didn’t get tested himself, but said he does his part to slow the spread by wearing a mask in public.
“The coronavirus is spreading everywhere,” Brayden said. “And we don’t want to spread it to others.”
As of Wednesday, the Ohio Department of Health has reported more than 60,000 total cases of coronavirus in the state of Ohio. The state saw an increase of 1,277 new cases from Tuesday — which is more than the state’s 21-day average of 846 cases per day.
Hospitalizations have also increased to 8,489 with 106 new admissions reported on Wednesday, according to the ODH. ICU admissions increased by 26 for a total of 2,127.
Clark County had 780 cases, eight deaths and one probable death, of the coronavirus as of Wednesday afternoon, according to the ODH’s website.
PHOTOS: Free Covid-19 Testing in Springfield
The health district is holding two more free testing clinics this month — one on Wednesday, July 15 at Perrin Wood Elementary School and the other on July 22 at La Condesa Grocery #1 on S. Burnett Road. Both clinics are from noon until 6 p.m.
Free COVID-19 community testing clinics
July 15, Noon until 6 p.m. at Perrin Woods Elementary School located at 431 W. John St., Springfield.
July 22, Noon until 6 p.m. at La Condesa Grocery #1 located at 440 S. Burnett Rd. (Burnett Plaza Shopping Center), Springfield.
Offered by Clark County Combined Health District and City of Springfield
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