Next round of PDHD COVID tests scheduled locally, notification procedure clarified

With one round of local area COVID testing having been completed Oct. 12-15 in Fulton and Hickman, the Purchase District Health Department has scheduled other pop up testing sites for Clinton Nov. 2, Fulton Nov. 4 and Hickman Nov. 5.

According to Erin L. Stallins, MSEd, Covid Testing Site Coordinator with the Purchase District Health Department, Paducah, at the previously scheduled sites Oct. 12-13, in Hickman, 33 individuals were tested and in Fulton Oct. 14-15, 118 were tested.

In Clinton, testing will occur Nov. 2, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hickman County Health Clinic, 370 S. Washington St..

In Fulton, testing will take place Nov. 4, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Fulton County Health Department office, 350 Browder St. and in Hickman, on Nov. 5, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Fulton County Health Center in Hickman, at 402 Troy Ave.

According to Stallins, results are received from the state lab within two to five days. The results are reviewed and if there is a positive case, that individual is contacted by the Purchase District Health Department Contact Tracing Team.

Negative results are texted out from the state level. If a person testing has requested to not receive results via text, they are called by the Purchase District ECT.

Stallins noted that only testing facilities should be contacting anyone who has tested, with the results of the test.

She stated a list of addresses, sex and age of those testing positive is sent to the County Emergency Manager/EMS Coordinator within counties, but the list does not include names nor telephone numbers of those testing positive.

“This list is provided in order to help first responders. They then know to take extra precautions if called to that household in the event of an emergency,” Stallins said.

In response to an email correspondence from The Current, questioning a reported occurrence of an individual receiving contradicting test results, Stallins said Negative test results are texted out at the state level.

“The error occurred in the text contact sent from the state level. We have previously contacted them to let them know the error occurred and steps have been put in place to alleviate these errors in the future,” Stallins said in the response to the email.

In the instance of the contradicting results reported, the individual tested on Oct. 14, and on Oct. 19, a text was received stating test results were Negative.

On Oct. 21, the person who had been tested Oct. 14, received information regarding a positive testing result. Later on Oct. 21, correspondence was sent via email from the Purchase District Health Department indicating the test from Oct. 14 was positive.

The testing conducted by the Purchase District Health Department is free of charge, with no proof of insurance, noted symptoms or doctor’s order required.

Walk-ups are accepted but prior registration is preferred.