Residents of Carroll, Jackson, Winston, Sharkey, Neshoba and George counties and surrounding communities can be tested for COVID-19 next 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. One-day collection sites were previously announced for next week in Chickasaw, Coahoma, Forrest, Monroe, Leake and Tallahatchie counties. Testing hours at one-day collection sites were revised effective Monday, July 13. The new hours are 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 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. Mississippians who want to be tested must first complete a free screening from a UMMC clinician through an found at umc.edu/covidscreening. Or, they can call the UMMC Center for Telehealth at (601) 496-7200 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Anyone determined to need testing will be given an appointment date and time at the testing site most convenient. Appointment-only testing has been offered since a daily testing site was established March 24 at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds in Jackson. On June 1, that testing operation moved to the West Street Farmers Market at Woodrow Wilson Avenue in Jackson. One-day sample collections are being offered at selected sites statewide.The newest testing sites for Friday, July 31: • Winston County: Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Crystal Ridge Facility Building, 82 Indian Road, Louisville • Sharkey County: Sharkey Issaquena Community Hospital, 47 S. Fourth St., Rolling Fork Those who believe they need to be tested must first complete a free screening from a UMMC clinician through an at umc.edu/covidscreening. Or, they can call the UMMC Center for Telehealth at (601) 496-7200 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Anyone determined to need testing will receive an appointment date and time at the testing site most convenient. Thousands 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 July 23, a total 9,123 people at 161 one-day testing sites statewide, plus another 15,588 at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds and West Street Farmers Market, for a total of 24,711 tested. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the Mississippi National Guard are partnering with UMMC and MSDH to coordinate mobile testing sites. During drive-through testing, health care professionals will collect specimen samples via a nose swab. Those being tested will not exit their vehicle.
