Logan County’s first pop-up site highlights need for testing in rural areas

LOGAN COUNTY — Logan County’s first state-sponsored COVID-19 pop-up test site brought in over 100 people – organizers said some were lining up at the Logan County Fairgrounds half an hour before testing opened.

The pop-up is critical in Logan County and other rural areas, where the availability of free testing is very limited.

While nearby Mary Rutan hospital does offer COVID testing, it’s mainly paid for by the patient’s insurance.

Anyone looking for free testing has to travel much further.

“I’d say 45 minutes,” Logan County Health District Director of Nursing Kelly Reaver told News Center 7′s Jenna Lawson. “You’re looking at driving from here to Marysville or to Urbana.”

Reaver said because of the distance, she’s aware of many people who have put off getting tested. Unfortunately, some of those people will wait too long and become sick, possibly hospitalized.

She said many pop-up testing participants on Thursday were sick or showing symptoms of the virus.

Logan County resident Janet Armentrout was tested after she said her husband was showing symptoms previously.

She said she’d encourage others to do the same if they’re questioning their own health.

“It was good, friendly, nice,” she said.

Some travelled to Thursday’s pop-up from out of the county – and some even from out of state. The health district will communicate their results with the person’s county of residence.

At last check on Thursday, the Logan County Health District has tallied over 260 total (confirmed and probable) cases of the virus.

Many cases are being linked to community spread – sometimes upwards of 2/3 of the county’s weekly cases. The Logan County Health Commissioner has said previously that community spread makes it more difficult to pinpoint where someone may have picked up the virus.

“We’re not only looking at someone’s test results,” Reaver said. “We’re also looking at where they’ve been, what their exposures are, what their symptoms are.”

Reaver said the health district is doing everything in their power to bring the appropriate health services to residents, but the pandemic is severely straining small health district staffs, like Logan County’s.

She said many nurses are working seven days a week and staffers have been moved from their normal positions to help with contact tracing – although she said they are working to contract with the state to bring in paid contact tracers.

While the health district’s building remains locked to the public, many services are being provided carside or via a window at the health district.

The results from Thursday’s testing should be available to participants within 72 hours. It’s unclear if or when another pop-up site will be in Logan County.

Cox Media Group