The Hamilton County Health Department’s free drive-thru COVID-19 testing site on Bonnyshire Drive began accepting patients without an appointment on Monday.
Department Administrator Becky Barnes said during a media briefing that the site has the capacity to swab up to 125 people per day.
“Our primary focus at this testing site is for people who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and people who are close contacts with people who have tested positive. However, we will not turn people away. … That is, until we meet our capacity of 125,” Barnes said.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has expanded the list of COVID-19 symptoms to include chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat and new loss of taste or smell. Previously, it had listed just three symptoms: fever, cough and shortness of breath.
Barnes also cautioned people to continue wearing masks, practicing good hygiene and safe distancing as businesses reopen around the county.