Cars pack Yuma Civic Center parking lot for COVID-19 testing
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Saturday morning, Yuma Regional Medical Center offered free Coronavirus testing for the public. It brought a massive turn out.
People showed up as early as 5am; while the number of coronavirus cases in yuma county are on a steady rise.
300 tests were administered on a first-come, first-served basis to determine if you are infected with Coronavirus.
Annette Fletcher is the Microbiology Supervisor at the hospital.
“We’re here to support the community and give them an opportunity to be tested.”
YRMC partnered with the state and local health department as well as the City of Yuma to offer these tests to locals.
Liz jones has worked at YRMC for more than 20 years. She's a Clinical Director for YRMC.
“Thank you to our community they have been so supportive to us at the hospital in the way of cards, making masks, food," she said.
The hospital wanted to maximize efficiency and infection control. YRMC nursing volunteers worked both sides of each vehicle.
“YRMC we haven’t had a shortage of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). Today we are fully decked head to toe, we’re fully protected. I have no fear,” Jones explained.
We’re here to take care of people because that’s what we want to do and like to do,” Jones added.
After the nurses retrieve those vital samples, they arrive at an on-site lab.
“We have a make-shift specimen processing station set up here at the civic center,” Fletcher said.
They are transported via a dry ice, insulated cooler.
"We have six or eight people that are sample handlers. They take the sample out of the bag and make sure that it is intact they make sure that it’s labeled properly and then they check the information on the sample against the requisition and make that everything is complete - name, date of birth,” Fletcher added.
This is a critical step in making sure you receive the most accurate reading in 48 to 72 hours.
"On the back end the lab is kinda like the black box, where specimens disappear and answers come out. But there is a lot of people on the back end processing your samples testing, your samples," Fletcher said.
YRMC will also perform additional testing next Saturday from 8a-12pm.
People who attend are encouraged to wear a cloth mask.
Those tested are asked to self-quarantine for 7-14 days after taking the test, as they wait for test results.
Saturday, May 16, 2020
Yuma Civic & Convention Center - 1440 W Desert Hills Drive, Yuma
8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
No registration required
For other locations and details visit our Coronavirus Testing Locations page.
