Staff Reports
INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana has opened registration for a free COVID-19 testing program open to any Hoosier with symptoms, or those who have been exposed, with testing appointments beginning Wednesday.
Gov. Eric Holcomb and his staff announced that testing sites will open at 20 armories around the state with 30 more sites to be added within the next 14 days, with the hopes of testing up to 6,600 Indiana residents a day. The test will be a nasopharyngeal swab.
At a Monday press conference, state officials said Indiana never really had a “peak” or “spike” in COVID-19 cases, but through the social distancing efforts and stay-at-home efforts, were able to reach a plateau quickly. Right now the cases are leveled off at the plateau and in some cases, are going down, state officials said.
Dr. Lindsey Weaver, the state’s chief medical officer, said the diagnosis number is just one data point being considered and state officials expect positive cases to go up as more people are tested through the 50 sites around the state this month. However, state officials have seen a flattening out or plateauing of the number of hospital admissions and ambulance runs for COVID-19. she said.
The website registration site is Lhi.care/covidtesting or appointments may be made by calling 888-634-1123. Testing sites listed on the Logistics Health website include Columbus Regional Hospital, the designated ISDH/OptumServe test site (no location listed) and PromptMed. The site is assigned to the person seeking testing when the appointment is made.
Columbus and Johnson County are among the first 20 sites opening this week, according to the state health department.
Other cities hosting testing locations include Angola, Connersville, Danville, Elkhart, Elwood, Huntington, Jasper, Lafayette, LaPorte, Logansport, Muncie, Peru, Richmond, South Bend, Terre Haute, Valparaiso and Vincennes.
OptumServe is providing all supplies, personal protective equipment, testing kits and lab facilities for the testing, according to state officials. Weaver said the collaboration has the capacity to test 100,000 Indiana residents within the next 30 days.
The free testing, for those with symptoms, those in close contact with a positive case, or residents living in congregate living settings, will provide a more complete picture about the spread of the virus and high-risk communities, said Dr. Lindsey Weaver, the state’s chief medical officer. Those seeking testing who have private insurance are asked to bring that paperwork with them when being tested.
Test results will be returned within 48 hours, by text or email if negative, and by phone call if positive, according to Weaver.
Hoosiers may get tested without having to visit a health care provider, according to Weaver. State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box has issued a standing order for the test to be given to any Hoosier who meets the criteria. The state department of health is continuing its targeted testing of focused- and high-risk populations, Weaver said.
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Those wanting to register for testing are asked to visit Lhi.care/covidtesting or appointments may be made by calling 888-634-1123.
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