From April 2020, the county health department and the Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority (KCEAA) held drive-up COVID-19 testing events at sites across Kanawha County.
How the series started
The first event took place at KCEAA in April 2020 and tested 26 people. At that time, testing was only for people with symptoms such as cough, fever, shortness of breath or stomach problems. Testing was by appointment through the COVID-19 hotline at 304-348-1088. The next event was set for April 28, 2020 at Mary C. Snow West Side Elementary in Charleston.
How the series grew
Later events moved to churches, schools, parks and the health department office on Lee Street. On July 1, 2020, 568 people were tested at the Schoenbaum Center. The health officer called it the 24th testing event and the largest turnout to that date. Events that month included the health department office, the Shawnee Sports Complex in Dunbar, London First Church of God and A More Excellent Way Life Center Church in Charleston.
Related events
- Twenty-six tested during the first drive-up testing event
- Drive-up COVID-19 testing at Capital High School
- Drive-up COVID-19 testing at the health department
- Preregister for COVID-19 drive-up events
- More than 18,000 COVID-19 tests given at 58 drive-up events