In 2020, the health department and the Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority held drive-up COVID-19 testing events at churches, schools and parks around Kanawha County. People were asked to register ahead of time by making an appointment through the health department’s COVID-19 hotline.
At first, the events were by appointment only and for people with symptoms. By late May 2020, they were open to everyone, including people with no symptoms. For a May 27 event at DuPont Middle School in Belle, 20 people had registered ahead of time, and more were expected to drive up.
In June 2020, appointments were preferred for events at Sissonville High School on June 25 and the Schoenbaum Center in Charleston on July 1, but no one was turned away. Both events ran from 2 to 7 p.m. People who had traveled to hot spots such as Myrtle Beach were urged to get tested.
Residents could call 304-348-1088 to make an appointment. See also Health Department and KCEAA announce more COVID-19 testing events.