Residents of Hinds, Walthall and Kemper counties and surrounding communities can be tested for COVID-19 this week as the University of Mississippi Medical Center and Mississippi State Department of Health continue efforts to stem virus transmission by setting up one-day, drive-through collection sites.
The fastest and easiest way to get screened and tested is with the C Spire Health app. It’s available daily from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Those without smartphones can call (601) 496-7200. Anyone not experiencing symptoms is asked not to use the app or call.
Testing sites for Wednesday, April 22:
- Perry County: Perry County Multi-Purpose Center, 1194 Highway 15, Richton
- Claiborne County: Claiborne County Parks and Recreation, 1120 Highway 61 N., Port Gibson
Testing sites for Thursday, April 23:
- Hinds County: Tougaloo College Owens Health and Wellness Center, 500 W. County Line Road, Jackson
- Walthall County: Walthall County Events Center, 31 Highway 48 East, Tylertown
Testing site for Friday, April 24:
- Kemper County: Kemper County High School, 200 Martin Luther King Jr. St., DeKalb
Appointment-only testing at each site is from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Hundreds of people in Mississippi communities have taken advantage of the UMMC/MSDH drive-through collection sites. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the Mississippi National Guard are partnering with UMMC and MSDH to coordinate mobile testing sites.
Anyone experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, including fever, cough, shortness of breath or sore throat, who feels they should be tested must first go through a free screening from a UMMC clinician, either through the C Spire Health UMMC Virtual COVID-19 Triage telehealth smartphone app by phone. UMMC and C Spire have partnered to make the screening free to all Mississippians.
Mississippians who are screened as being at high risk for having COVID-19 are given an appointment at a testing site to provide a specimen sample, via a nose swab, without exiting their vehicle.
Anyone determined to be at low risk for infection will receive instructions on social distancing, home isolation, and self-care, and will be told to call back if symptoms worsen.
