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COVID-19 mobile testing unit at Walmart Monday
Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH), in conjunction with Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health at IUPUI and the Indiana National Guard, had a mobile COVID-19 testing unit in Brazil Walmart’s parking lot Monday afternoon.
The year-long study was announced by State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box Friday during the daily briefing by Gov. Eric Holcomb. The study, according to Box, will be a crucial tool in understanding the impact of the COVID-19 across the state.
“Having the ability to not only test for the presence of this virus, but to also learn more about people who have been exposed in the past, and might have antibodies, that indicate a past infection, will help us fine-tune our work to keep Hoosiers safe from this pandemic,” Box said Friday. “We are grateful that this partnership will help make that happen.”
The public is encouraged to participate in the study if contacted to do so, which started on April 25. Officials confirm approximately 20,000 people overall will be tested, which could take several months to complete, with at least 5,000 contacted across Indiana’s 10 emergency preparedness districts to participate in the first round. Additional rounds of testing are expected to take place in late May, again in October, and then again in April 2021.
Those asked to participate in the study will be notified by mail, text message, email, or by phone about their eligibility and provided to the nearest testing site. Testing for the study will take place at eight fixed (including one located in Terre Haute) and 10 mobile locations around the state on April 25-29.
On Monday, officials on the scene at the mobile testing unit set up at Walmart were accepting only those invited, and confirming they had the proper registration codes before implementing the free testing.
State officials confirmed the testing procedure included both nasopharyngeal swabs and blood draws, to help determine if the person has antibodies from being previously exposed to or had the SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
It was explained the level of participation by those invited to take the free test would help determine the parameters of the next round of tests.
“Data is key in guiding our response in the fight against COVID-19, and our partnership with Fairbanks School of Public Health researchers will provide high-quality information to help shape our decision-making,” Gov. Eric J. Holcomb recently said. “I want to encourage Hoosiers who are selected to participate in stepping forward and helping us gather the critical information for this groundbreaking scientific study.”
Indiana University Health and Eli Lilly and Company will help process and report test results to ISDH. Nasopharyngeal swabs will be tested for COVID-19 within 72 to 96 hours, while blood samples will be tested at a later date for antibodies to determine if an individual has had COVID-19 in the past. Participants can choose the method they want to receive the test results, and ISDH will contact them. Still, their health information will remain private due to the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).