ALMA, Arkansas — There will be a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site for Alma residents opening on Wednesday, June 3.
The site is located in the CVS parking lot on the corner of Highway 64 and Highway 71.
It opened on Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will be openThursday and Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
River Valley Primary Care says they had the largest single-day testing total since they started hosting these drive-thru testing sites.
“Yesterday we did 256 tests. Lost count today but before the rain we were over 120. So, I’m assuming we’ll be about the same that we were yesterday,” said Mike Blaylock, Assistant Executive Director for River Valley Primary Care.
According to Alma Mayor Jerry Martin, there will be no upfront out of pocket expense for the test.
No appointments are needed and no symptoms are required.
"For our first day on-site at other locations we averaged almost a hundred for the first day and so, to come here and do just over 250 yesterday is a pretty big success for the community,” sais Liz Donahue, data analyst at River Valley Primary Care.
There are two types of tests available, a less invasive nasal swab that goes on the inner part of the nose, or an oral swab similar to a strep throat test.
“We don’t want people to be scared. If they want to get tested come out be tested River Valley is here for you," Donahue said. "We’ve partnered with LabCorp and we’ll test as many people as possible.”
With the high number of tests being done, it may take a little longer to get results back from the commercial lab.
“Originally I could tell you 72 hours but because of the number of tests coming through not just from us, statewide and nationwide, it’s taking up to five days or longer,” Blaylock said.
The drive-thru site has about 1,000 tests on hand and is expecting more. Organizers say things are on the right track to reaching the governor's goal of 120,000 tests in Arkansas.
“My gut tells me we’re going to beat it before the end of June as well,” Blaylock said.
River Valley Primary Care will open another drive-thru testing site at First Presbyterian Church in Fort Smith. That site will be open Monday (June 8) and Tuesday (June 9) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.