COLUMBUS, Ind. — The COVID-19 testing site at FairOaks Mall has closed its doors even though the Indiana State Department of Health’s website says it is open through the end of the month.
The site, located in the former JCPenney store, closed May 31, said FairOaks Mall General Manager Kim Showalter.
City officials and the Bartholomew County Health Department said they were not involved with the decision to close the site, which was operated by state contractor OptumServe.
Currently, it is unclear why the site was shut down.
The Republic contacted the Indiana State Department of Health on Monday, seeking comment on what prompted the site’s closure and whether there are plans to open another testing site in the county, but did not receive answers to those questions after three days.
Bartholomew County Health Officer Dr. Brian Niedbalski said he was unaware of any plans to set up another testing site in the county.
However, Niedbalski said demand for COVID-19 testing, in general, is currently low.
“The demand for testing is low at this time, but if cases begin to escalate again in the near future, the state may expand testing sites,” Niedbalski said.
For the complete story, see Friday’s Republic.
