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COLUMBIANA -- Previously hosting COVID-19 drive-thru testing in Austintown and Campbell, QUICKmed and CM Laboratories plan to set up testing in the Firestone pool parking lot in Columbiana from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. April 22 and 23.
A representative of CM Laboratories reached out through dispatch to see if the city would be interested in hosting a site.
The test will take place while people remain in their vehicles and will take about two minutes. The results will then be available in one to two days. Everyone planning to take the test must suspect they have the virus, and either had contact with a confirmed COVID-19 patient or displayed symptoms. Those being tested must be approved through a telehealth screening beforehand.
Before accepting the idea, the city reached out to the county health department to see what they thought of the idea.
"We have a great relationship with the health department, so it was critical that they were on board before we committed," City Manager Lance Willard said.
Health Commissioner Wes Vins said the more test results they can get in the county, the better. The health department's medical team then got in contact with the CM Laboratories representative to discuss the type of testing, results and the overall process. After reviewing everything, the health department let the city know that they were on board.
Willard said he is excited for the testing because Columbiana is in a good spot for residents of other communities to participate as well.
"Being centrally located, this site will easily serve Salem, Leetonia, New Waterford, East Palestine, Lisbon and southern Mahoning County," Willard said. "During our county alliance meeting, we let them know the test site would be available for their residents, too."
After the health department finalized plans, Willard said they posted the update on the city website, columbianaohio.gov, where people can read about the process and most importantly how to pre-register for the process. Those that show up without being registered will not be able to get tested at the site.
To complete registration, those who wish to be tested must be pre-screened prior to testing at www.quickmed-uc.com. Then, they must speak with a representative from QUICKmed on the phone after registering online and before going to the site. Registration begins Saturday.
With any type of insurance card, there are no out of pocket costs, city officials were told. Those without insurance will be charged $100, $50 for the visit and $50 for the test.
The program is not costing the city anything. It is just providing the site.
As the site is located at the pool parking lot at Firestone Park, cars should enter from Springfield Road and will exit onto East Park Avenue.
"We reached out to the police chiefs at Campbell and Austintown to get their opinions on the process," Willard said. "They both said it went well but told us to emphasize that pre-registration is required."