Pop-up COVID-19 testing is coming to Portsmouth. On Wednesday, June 24, free tests for Coronavirus will be available at the Compass Community Health Center on 11th Street. Testing is scheduled to take place between 9 am and 4 pm.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said, “There are many more pop-up locations coming, and we will provide more information closer to those dates.”
I spoke with Compass Community Health Center Director of Operations Greg Gulker just moments after DeWine announced the testing. He’d only just gotten the confirmed date and time himself, “The Governor solidified it while we were in a meeting.”
Active Virus Testing
Gulker stressed that this is not antibody testing. These tests are for the active virus. “That’s what the State of Ohio wants to know more about. As a community health center, we were asked if we’d like to be the site for Southern Ohio. Our mission is to serve the underserved, so that’s what we’re doing.”
Also helping serve the underserved will be the Ohio National Guard. Gulker said, “It’s a partnership with the Ohio National Guard. They’re bringing the manpower to help us with the testing. We can hopefully test a lot of people.” He said no one should be alarmed when they see the Guard roll into town to assist.
Up To 500 Tests
Compass has the ability to test just under 500 people. “We don’t expect that kind of flow,” Gulker said. “They are thinking about 300 people.” He said the National Guard will assist with crowd control and managing the event.
Normally, to get a test at Compass Community Health Center, you must call ahead to set up an appointment and pass a screening. For the pop-up testing event, so appointments are required. Anyone who wants a test can have one. Just show up to Compass Community Health Center at 1634 11th Street on Wednesday, June 24. Testing hours are between 9 am and 4 pm or as long as the test kits last.
Ohio Takes Out A Loan To Pay Unemployment
In other COVID-19 news, the state has secured a line of credit to help meet its unemployment benefits obligations. Thanks to skyrocketing jobless claims due to the COVID-19 shutdown, Ohio has come up short.
Governor DeWine said, “Today is the first day that Ohio. has had to borrow money to meet its unemployment obligation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ohio requested $3.1 billion in borrowing authority from the U.S. Department of Labor.”
The governor said Ohio was not alone. So far several states including California and Texas have also borrowed money to meet their unemployment obligations.
