Over two dozen drive-through tests for COVID-19 were conducted Thursday at the former Garan site in Eupora.
The University of Mississippi Medical Center, Mississippi State Department of Health, Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and Mississippi National Guard led the operations on the south side of Government Avenue.
Gov. Tate Reeves activated the National Guard last month to support MSDH and MEMA at mobile testing locations statewide.
People experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, first had to go through a free screening from a UMMC clinician through the C Spire Health UMMC Virtual COVID-19 Triage telehealth smartphone app.
Mississippians who were screened as being at high risk for infection were given a specimen sample, via a nose swab, without exiting their vehicle. Providers wearing protective gear at the collection site came to each vehicle window to retrieve specimens for testing to be performed at the MSDH Public Health Lab.
The appointment-only specimen collections and testing were free of charge.
The Starkville Daily News reported Friday that 25 tests were conducted in Eupora. UMMC was to notify those tested of the results and given further instructions.
14 Local Cases
As of Monday morning, MSDH reported Webster County had 14 cases of COVID-19, up from 12 a week earlier.
The total of Mississippi’s cases since March 11 now stands at 2,942, with 98 deaths. One of those deaths was in Webster County — a man age 65-70 with underlying health conditions who died last month while hospitalized.
The governor’s statewide shelter-in-place order remains in effect until 8 a.m. Monday. MSDH says social distancing, staying at home and strong hygiene measures should be strictly practiced to protect oneself and others.
Consulting with the Mississippi Forestry Commission, Reeves issued a proclamation Friday prohibiting any outdoor burning in the state.
An increase in wildfires has diverted firefighters and EMS professionals from being able to help with the COVID-19 response, while the smoke has posed an unnecessary risk to Mississippians with respiratory illnesses, according to the governor’s office.
