Kroger offering drive-through COVID testing
INDIANAPOLIS (Inside INdiana Business) — Kroger Health is partnering with the Marion County Health Department and Indianapolis Public Schools to offer free, drive-through COVID-19 testing on the west side of Indianapolis this week. Testing will be available beginning Tuesday May 12 at Ernie Pyle School 90 on West 18th Street.
“The COVID-19 pandemic requires city-wide action from a broad coalition of community partners,” said Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett. “It should therefore come as no surprise to see Kroger step-up and partner with our county’s health department and Indianapolis Public Schools to provide this free service. This is the kind of continued collaboration we will need to ensure the health and safety of Marion County residents.”
Those interested in getting a test, whether symptomatic or not, can register here. Eligibility will be established by a virtual screening tool, with those eligible able to choose an appointment time. Participants will receive an email confirmation with paperwork and each patient is required to bring a photo ID to the testing site.
Participants must stay in their vehicles with the windows up until a health care worker approaches the vehicle with the testing kit, which includes a self-administered nasal swab that is ordered and observed by a provider. Kroger says this particular testing methodology increases the number of tests that can be offered while conserving available PPE.
“We are closely monitoring COVID-19 data each day to understand the impact this is having in Marion County,” said Dr. Virginia Caine, director of the Marion County Public Health Department. “While there is reason to be hopeful, we can’t relax quite yet. Everyone’s continued hard work and patience is needed to slow the spread of this virus even more and help put our community on a positive path moving forward.”
Kroger expects as many as 330 people per day will be tested. Results are expected within 72 hours. Testing is available May 12-13, May 19-20 and May 26-27 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.