CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW)- The wait was lengthy as Montgomery County residents who felt they were displaying symptoms of the COVID-19 virus visited the drive-up testing center at the Montgomery County Health Department on Thursday, March 20.
Those who exhibit all three symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath) were tested for COVID-19.
Those who didn’t were not tested.
Joey Smith, Director of the Montgomery County Health Department said the first step for anyone who thinks they are displaying symptoms of COVID-19 is to call your healthcare provider.
Several local doctors’ offices are doing the nasal swab tests once the three symptoms have been confirmed. Blanchfield Army Community Hospital (BACH), Premier Medical and the Montgomery County Health Department are local facilities to get tested.
The swabs are then sent out to a lab for COVID-19 testing. Anyone who presents the symptoms is asked to self-quarantine until their results are back.
Those with one or two symptoms, but not all symptoms are not tested.
“If (you) weren’t exhibiting any of the flu symptoms we wouldn’t walk into a clinic and say ‘I want to be tested for the flu,” Smith said. “[Doctors] wouldn’t test us just because we wanted to have a flu test. We do have folks in line that have a fever, cough and shortness of breath who could have the coronavirus.”
“The best way to protect yourself is by covering your mouth and nose with tissue if coughing, not touch your face with an unwashed hand, cleaning surfaces and social distancing especially from the those who are sick,” Smith said.
Those who don’t have a healthcare provider can utilize the Montgomery County Health Department.
“We’ve been testing for the last two weeks, but we just recently got permission to limit the other health department services so we can allocate more staff,” Smith said.
Smith added that people with all three symptoms can drive to the front door and a team will come out and do a triage, assessment and perform the nasal swab test if necessary, meaning all three symptoms are presenting.
“Together we can all get through this,” Smith said.
Arriving at Veterans Plaza
The lobby at the County Clerk’s Office is closed but citizens can still conduct business at the drive-thru window. Follow the signs when you enter the parking lot.
For all other county offices please call the office and/or visit their respective web page at www.mcgtn.org for instructions on how to conduct business.
