With COVID-19 cases pushing multiple schools to temporary at-home learning this month, Richmond County School System officials have set up a testing center to help people get results faster.
“It’s been something that’s really kind of bottlenecked our school system with people wanting to make sure that they didn’t have COVID, so they could return to the classroom or return to their schools,” said Lynthia Ross, the district’s chief public relations officer. “This is a partnership that guarantees us results within 24 to 48 hours, to be able to keep our schools open and operational.”
The site, which opened Jan. 24, is at the former Windsor Spring Elementary School, 2543 Windsor Spring Road. Drive-through testing will be provided from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
The free, COVID-19 testing is being done by the Heritage Pharmacy Group. Spokeswoman Ronetta Gardner said there was a steady stream of cars lining up as soon as they opened Monday.
“We offer the rapid test, and those results we can get out within 30 minutes. And we also offer the PCR test, that’s the one that goes out to our facility. And we’re able to get that result back in 24 to 48 hours,” she said.
One of the first people to get in line to be tested was Tonesha Haymon with three children, including a new baby.
“You know, her immune system’s weak, so to just make sure I can take extra precaution. So having this testing available is awesome,” she said. “I feel like everyone should take advantage of it.”
Ross said, although the company is giving school district staff, students and families priority, Heritage Pharmacy Group is also inviting the general public to be tested.
In January, several Richmond County schools have had to temporarily transition to at home learning due to COVID. Seven were closed over the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Students at Freedom Park K-8 return to in-person learning Jan. 25 while students at Belair K-8 will return to in-person learning Jan. 26.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com
