BUCYRUS— The first hour of the National Guard COVID-19 testing provided 99 tests to local residents coming through the line at Crawford County Public Health on Monday afternoon. Testing will continue until 7 p.m. at the health department, located at 1520 Isaac Beal Road in Bucyrus.
The Ohio Army/Air National Guard has participated in more than 75 community-based missions across the state of Ohio. All testing at the site will be performed by the National Guard medical staff. They test 10 seconds up each nostril using the nasal pharyngeal collection route (PCR). The laboratory testing the samples is MAKO Medical based out of West Virginia. The lab will be collecting the samples at the end of the testing and are guaranteeing a 72-hour turnaround for test results. MAKO Medical has a 99.9 percent accuracy rating with their testing and more information on the lab can be viewed on the lab’s website.
According to a Facebook post by officials at Crawford County Public Health, the first hour was a busy one and it is not slowing down. Here is the post:
Busy hour and it’s not slowing down! They are quick — so don’t panic if you see a line. The best approach is to come in off of Beal (just south of our office) and let the officers point you in the right direction. Our friendly staff and a handful of volunteers are helping with the paperwork and the Guard is handling all of the testing. We want to give a huge shout out and thank you to the Bucyrus Police Department for providing traffic control and to Crawford County EMA for providing assistance. It’s running smoothly and quickly! The testing runs through 7:00 p.m. today — so there is still plenty of time to come to if you would like to be tested.
The testing is being offered free of charge. It is voluntary and no doctor’s order is required to receive a test that is available to any person over the age of one-year-old. It is not a requirement to be a Crawford County resident to obtain a test and all results are sent to the county health department that is located in the county in which the person resides. Test results from non-Crawford County residents will not be reflected in the Crawford County numbers.
According to a press release from Crawford County Public Health, PCR testing is the most accurate testing available and MAKO Medical lab has a 99.9 percent accuracy rating. This is not the same test that Governor DeWine took before trying to meet the President. That was a rapid test. This is a viral test to tell if you have a current infection.
The National Guard has been supporting and conducting pop-up testing sites throughout Ohio in response to Governor Mike DeWine’s announcement in June that all Ohioans are entitled to be tested for COVID-19, even if they are in a low-risk group or asymptomatic. While many people in our area have access to a doctor and a doctor’s order for testing if they develop symptoms, there is no access to a test for those without a doctor or insurance. Those that need proof of being negative and free of COVID-9 and exhibiting no symptoms after returning from another state, or heading out to move into a college dorm room, or even those caring for the elderly can also access today’s test without the need of a doctor’s order.
Crawford County Public Health is grateful to have the support of the Ohio National Guard today. More information about the Guard Medics can be found on their website.