Mobile COVID-19 testing set for Covington and Simpson counties

Mississippi residents with virus symptoms are urged to use C Spire smartphone app for screening to be tested

The Mississippi Link Newswire,

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 announced 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 is actually 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. For more information about testing, click here.

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