The County’s Department of Public Health held a COVID-19 testing event at Copper Mountain College Wednesday. Managing editor Tami Roleff was there, and files this report…
The County Department of Public Health accepted appointments for 291 Morongo Basin residents at its drive-through testing event at Copper Mountain College Wednesday, although spokesman Francis DeLaPaz said that they’ve never actually had everyone show up for their appointments.
The process was very orderly; with three rows of stations set up; at the four stations in each row, the 76 health department workers on site checked that the driver had an appointment; exhibited at least one of the symptoms of coughing, fever, or shortness of breath; completed the necessary paperwork; and then finally was the test itself.
The test consists of inserting a swab into one nostril farther than you think a swab should go. The results will be back in about a week, although the County only notifies people whose test is positive.
Every health department employee changed all their protective gear—masks, gloves, and gown—for every vehicle that drove through.
The testing site was opened up to drive-throughs at noon for residents who showed at least one symptom but didn’t have an appointment.
