Marion County Public Health Department, City of Indianapolis Announce New Community Testing Sites for COVID-19
Published on Monday, 18 May 2020 16:52
For Immediate Release
May 15, 2020
INDIANAPOLIS – The Marion County Public Health Department and the City of Indianapolis, with the support of the Indianapolis Medical Society and the Aesculapian Medical Society, announce two new COVID-19 community testing sites that will offer drive-through and walk-up testing in areas of the county most impacted by the virus. These sites will replace two existing testing locations.
The Marion County Public Health Department’s first COVID-19 testing site at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, which began on April 2, will end on Wednesday, May 27, while the last day of testing at the Eastern Star Church main campus on East 30th Street was today, Friday, May 15.
The health department is grateful for its partnership with Eastern Star Church and Senior Pastor Jeffery A. Johnson, Sr. to provide COVID-19 testing at its main campus in the 46218 ZIP code. The health department will continue to work with Eastern Star Church to identify nearby facilities that house individuals who are unable to leave those facilities, and testing will be provided for them. The goal is to offer testing in the identified hot spots for COVID-19 infection, which is why the mobile testing will move to two different hot spots in Marion County after May 15. Special thanks to Eli Lilly and Company for providing free testing kits at this site.
Beginning Wednesday, May 20, drive-through and walk-up testing for COVID-19 will be offered on the east side of Indianapolis at Warren Central High School, 9500 E. 16th Street. Testing will be available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 6 a.m. until 2 p.m. Testing will be closed on Memorial Day.
Testing will also be offered on the west side at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 4790 W. 16th Street, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. beginning Tuesday, May 26.
“I am extremely appreciative for the way our community has come together to offer much-needed COVID-19 testing,” said Virginia A. Caine, M.D., director and chief medical officer of the Marion County Public Health Department. “I want to thank the Indiana State Fairgrounds and Eastern Star Church for their tremendous partnership in reaching the community. These new sites at Warren Central High School and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway are critical in our continued efforts to offer testing in COVID-19 hot spots around Marion County.”
This free community testing is aimed at addressing health disparities among diverse populations. Individuals with COVID-19 symptoms are strongly encouraged to get tested, as well as those with or without symptoms who are over age 65, immunocompromised, or a front line essential worker.
“The City of Indianapolis is proud to partner with the Marion County Public Health Department to continue providing free COVID-19 testing in areas that have been disproportionately impacted by this virus,” said Paul Babcock, director of the Office of Public Health and Safety, the coordinating agency for the City’s response to COVID-19. “It takes an entire community, working together, to combat the effects of a global pandemic, and we are thankful to the many partners that have stepped forward to do their part, including Roger Penske and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, as well as Warren Central High School.”
The criteria for testing at these sites include those who are:
EXPERIENCING THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Chills
- Muscle pains
- Headache
- Sore throats
- New loss of taste/smell
WITH OR WITHOUT SYMPTOMS IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING GROUPS:
- Seniors over 65 years of age
- Those with weakened immune systems
- Frontline essential workers
Residents with symptoms of COVID-19 or who meet other testing criteria can register by visiting MarionHealth.org/indycovid. For more information, or to get assistance in registering, please call (317) 221-5515 or (317) 221-8967. All testing at these sites is by appointment only.
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PARTNER SUPPORT
Eric Tibsar, M.D., President of the Indianapolis Medical Society
“On behalf of myself and the Indianapolis Medical Society, we are in full support of and very much appreciate the hard work that the Marion County Public Health Department has put into combating the COVID-19 epidemic. We feel very confident that the additional testing sites will help with contact tracing and curbing the spread of this deadly infection and are willing to help the Health Department in any way possible.”
Millicent Moye, M.D., President of the Aesculapian Medical Society
“The Aesculapian Medical Society focuses primarily on health issues related to the African American community and medically underserved populations. Since we know African American residents are experiencing a higher rate of infection from COVID-19 compared to other groups, we fully support increased community testing as a way to slow the spread and lessen the effects of this virus across Marion County.”
Mark Miles, President & CEO, Penske Entertainment Corp.
“We’re proud to partner with the Marion County Public Health Department on this vital program that provides free community testing for COVID-19. Along with increasing access to testing, we hope this initiative will make a meaningful difference in the effort to stem the tide of COVID-19 across out city and state.”
Timothy E. Hanson, Ed.D., Superintendent, MSD of Warren Township
“MSD Warren Township and Warren Central High School are looking forward to partnering with the Marion County Health Department to provide COVID-19 drive thru testing service for our community. We are excited to provide this resource to our Far Eastside residents that may not have been able to access otherwise.”
Media Contact:
Curt Brantingham
Media/Public Information Coordinator
317-221-2316 (o) │ 317-525-7450 (c)
