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Residents of Covington and Simpson counties and surrounding communities can be tested for COVID-19 this week as the University of Mississippi Medical Center and Mississippi State Department of Health continue efforts to stem virus transmission by setting up one-day, drive-through collection sites.
Collection sites were previously annou
nced for this week in Chickasaw, Jones, Yalobusha and Lowndes counties.
A previous release said a testing site on Tuesday is in Heidelberg in Jasper County, but that site actually is in Jones County, but near the Jasper County border. Also, a second testing site for Tuesday was updated earlier and is in Yalobusha County, not Tallahatchie County.
Anyone can be tested who is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, including fever, cough, shortness of breath or sore throat; or who has a known or potential exposure to someone confirmed with the virus.
Those who want to be tested must first get an appointment by going through a free screening from a UMMC clinician, either through the C Spire Health telehealth smartphone app or by phone. The fastest and easiest way to get screened and tested is with the C Spire Health app. It’s available daily from 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
The newest testing site for Thursday, May 21:
Covington County: Covington County Multi-Purpose Building, 68 Collins Industrial Park Drive, Collins
The newest testing site for Friday, May 22:
Simpson County: Simpson County Livestock Arena, 2777 Simpson Highway 49, Mendenhall
Previously announced testing sites for Tuesday, May 19:
Jones County (near the Jasper County border): Bogue Homa Facility Building, 109 McFarland Road, Heidelberg
Yalobusha County (updated): Oakland Fire Department, 13863 Hickory St., Oakland
The previously announced testing site for Wednesday, May 20:
Lowndes County: Columbus High School, 215 Hemlock St., Columbus
Testing hours are noon-4 p.m. Only those with appointments will be tested.
Hundreds of people in Mississippi communities have taken advantage of the UMMC/MSDH drive-through collection sites. Those numbers include, as of the end of the day May 16, a total 2,294 people at 63 one-day testing states statewide, plus another 5,137 at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds, for a total of 7,431 tested.
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the Mississippi National Guard are partnering with UMMC and MSDH to coordinate mobile testing sites. UMMC and C Spire have partnered to make the screening free to all Mississippians.
Those without smartphones who want to be screened for testing can call (601) 496-7200.
During drive-through testing, health care professionals will collect specimen samples via a nose swab. Those being tested will not exit their vehicle.
Learn more about Covid-19
MageeNews.com is an online news website covering Simpson and surrounding counties as well as the State of Mississippi.
