TOLEDO, Ohio — Kroger handled around 125 tests at its first drive-thru COVID-19 testing site in Toledo Thursday. The testing site took place at MetroParks Hawkins Farmhouse located at 5434 W Bancroft St.
"We cannot truly measure what we're really going through without having as much testing as possible," Kroger Health regional clinical director Connie Palakodeti said.
The availability of testing has been an issue since the outbreak started. But it's finally starting to roll out to the general public. Kroger joined the list of sites with a pop-up drive thru site at the Toledo Botanical Gardens.
"Lucas County was able to provide the location along with the tents and some of the supplies we needed, " Palakodeti said. "Kroger Health brought their own staff as well as the testing kits."
People can go through a virtual screening at Krogerhealth.com/covidtesting. If they qualify, they can set up an appointment and show up for a test.
"It is self administered so they are nasal swabs that go in each nare of the nose for about 15 seconds," Palakodeti said, "and it is monitored by nurse practitioners on site and then after that the patient collects their own sample, puts it in the tube and the results are usually back in 48 hours."
While some sites are prioritizing frontline workers or those with underlying conditions, the Kroger site is targeting more of the general public.
"To be able to supply some of this testing free of charge to patients who normally would not qualify," Palakodeti said, "they're not being hospitalized, they're not 65 and older, they don't have multiple vulnerabilities, so that's kind of where we fit in to be able to qualify more people for testing."
She said they tested around 125 people Thursday. They are looking at adding more testing sites around the area.
Kroger health workers will be conducting more testing Friday and Saturday from 10 to 4:00 p.m.
Ohioans can register at: http://krogerhealth.com/covidtesting
Who is eligible?
People needing a test will use a virtual screening tool based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines to see if they are eligible. Those who are eligible for the testing include CDC Priority 1, 2 and 3. Criteria for testing include persons with COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath) who:
- Are healthcare workers
- Are first responders (EMS, fire, law enforcement)
- Are 65 years of age or older
- Are critical infrastructure workers with symptoms
- Have a chronic health condition (heart disease, lung disease or an immune-system-lowering condition, such as diabetes)
- Experience mild symptoms and live in communities with high numbers of COVID-19 hospitalizations
I qualified; what's next?
Those eligible will next select the appropriate testing location and appointment time. Then, registrants will receive an email confirmation with pre-appointment paperwork. When the patient arrives for a test, they should have a photo ID ready and leave their windows rolled up for check-in. A healthcare practitioner will approach the car and alert the patient when to roll down their window.
How it works
The drive-thru testing location has a self-administered nasal swab that must be ordered and observed by a provider. Kroger determined this testing methodology is beneficial as it increases the number of tests that can be provided while conserving the personal protective equipment utilized.
When will results be in?
Test results are expected within approximately 48 hours. The Toledo testing site will handle approximately 250 tests per day.
“This work, like all the work we do, is guided by our values and Our Promise to Feed the Human Spirit,” said Colleen Lindholz, president of Kroger Health. “As we continue to create partnerships that offer easy-to-access testing, we are proud of our commitment to serving our customers and our communities. Kroger and The Little Clinic will donate all professional services at the drive-thru testing facilities, including orders and observing the COVID-19 test.”
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