By Dan Spalding
InkFreeNews

WARSAW – The Indiana State Department of Health will host a free COVID-19 drive-thru testing clinic in Warsaw for two weeks beginning Tuesday morning, July 14.

The testing will be done in the west parking lot of Central Park, according to a news release from the city of Warsaw.

Mayor Joe Thallemer said Monday afternoon that they had communicated an interest in additional testing to state officials. He said the plan came together rather quickly after he learned of the state’s intentions on Friday.

“This will create quite a bit of opportunity to get testing done and I think it will be as simple as it can be,” Thallemer said.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and again from July 21- 25.

Drive-thru clinics are open to anyone older than age 12 who lives or works in Indiana.

Insurance is not required. Spanish translators will be available, the news release said.

Individuals who are tested will receive an email or text message with the results when they become available.

Anyone who believes they may have been exposed to COVID-19 has developed symptoms of COVID-19, who is considered high risk or who requires testing to return to work is strongly encouraged to take advantage of this free testing opportunity.

Kosciusko County and the city of Warsaw pooled money from the CARES Act in early June to help make testing readily available about five weeks ago through MedState.

The number of positive tests continues to rise in Kosciusko County, but is not accelerating as quickly in Elkhart County directly to the north.

“It’s probably something we’d like to have had sooner,” Thallemer said. “I’m just appreciative that we’re on the radar.”

For more information about this testing site, Hoosiers may call the Indiana State Department of Health COVID-19 Call Center at the toll-free number (877)-826-0011 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily.  For more information in Spanish, call the Northern Indiana Hispanic Health Coalition at (574)-206-3938.