Boone Memorial Hospital tests nearly 100 in free drive-thru COVID-19 saliva based testing clinic

Boone Memorial Hospital held a second saliva based COVID-19 drive-thru testing clinic on Friday, December 4th. The first saliva based testing clinic, in partnership with the Governor's Office, WV National Guard and WVDHHR was held Friday, October 23rd and Saturday, October 24th. It was the first community saliva based COVID-19 drive-thru testing in the State of West Virginia. Both events were held at the former Magic Mart building located in Danville, WV.

"Overall, the pilot in October was successful with a total of 334 patients submitting saliva specimens over a two-day period," said Angie Christian, Executive Director of Ancillary Services and On-Site Coordinator. "It was so well-received, in fact, that we decided to host another event."

"We tested nearly 100 people this past Friday," said Kathy Hill, APRN-FNP-BC and On-Site Coordinator. "Even with the cold, rainy weather, we still had a good turn-out. Our goal is to continue ensuring that testing is easily accessible for the community."

The event offered a saliva test, versus the nasal swab test.

"The saliva test is easier to perform and more comfortable," said Hill. "You simply spit into a cup versus submitting to a nasal swab."

Both the saliva and swab tests work by detecting genetic material from the coronavirus. Both tests are very specific, meaning that a positive test almost always means that the person is infected with the virus. However, both tests can be negative, even if a person is proven later to be infected (known as a false negative). This is especially true for people who carry the virus but have no symptoms.

Boone Memorial Hospital will continue offering nasal swab testing weekly every Monday, Wednesday and Friday in the parking lot located adjacent to its Rural Health Walk-in Clinic on State Street in Madison. Drive-Thru Testing will run from 9am-1pm.

For more information on the coronavirus and testing, visit our website at bmh.org/coronavirus

Special thanks to following Boone Memorial Hospital employees who volunteered their time at the December 4th event. *Several not pictured above

(Missy Adams, Haley Adkins, Brooke Bell, PharmD; Kendra Bias, Hannah Boggess, Sarah Dotson, PharmD; Ray Harrell, Kathy Hill, APRN-FNP-BC (On-site Coordinator); Kevin Hill, PA-C; Sherri Hill, Michelle Hill, Mark Linville, Debbie Martin, Karlie Belle Price, Melissa Runion, Callie Sayre, Amy Sayre, MD; Deborah Townsley, FNP; Blitz Turner, FNP; and Ciera Bias, PharmD. Also, special thanks to the BMH Maintenance Department for handling banner placement and set-up (Billy Dolin-Maintenance Department Director, Joe Weekley, Stuart Price, Frank Adkins and Steve Cantley).