COVID-19 rapid test administrators Daylin Hernandez and Abigail Nunez with Silas Wilkerson

Gary's 1st COVID-19 rapid testing site gives results in 10 minutes

Contributed By:The 411 News

Hudson-Campbell Fitness Center is now the Gary Health Department's 3rd permanent site offering walk-in coronavirus testing and the only one providing results in 10 minutes.

Silas Wilkerson was in the Fitness Center Tuesday morning and took the rapid test before heading home.

Wilkerson hadn't been tested in 2 months. "I'm taking this one because they don't stick that thing up your nose. That was one of the most painful things I've experienced," he said about the test taken last year which used a nasal swab to collect a sample of mucus from his nose.

The rapid test administrator drew a small blood sample from Wilkerson's finger.

A positive result means the test taker is currently infected with the COVID-19 virus or has had a prior COVID-19 infection. The test finds antibodies produced by the immune system's reaction to the virus.

A negative result means the test taker has not produced any antibodies and is not infected with the virus.

Gary Health Commissioner Dr. Roland Walker said the new rapid testing site fits in with operating the city's 5 Winter Warming Centers. The centers provide shelter for the homeless when temperatures drop below freezing.

Persons will be tested before entering the warming centers. Those infected with the virus will not be allowed to enter a warming center and taken to a place to quarantine.

Dr. Walker said the Hudson-Campbell site gives easy access to testing for city employees, especially public safety personnel who are processing and transporting users of the warming centers and for other duties that put them in close contact with the public.

Hudson Campbell, 455 Massachusetts, operating hours are Monday, 2:30pm to 7:00pm; Tuesday, 7:30am to 4:00pm; Wednesday, 7:30am to 4:00pm; Thursday, 8:30am to 6:00pm; Friday, 8:30am to 12 noon; Saturday, 9:30am to 1:00pm; and closed Sunday.

Gary Health Department, 1145 W. 5th Avenue, offers COVID-19 walk-in testing. It does not do rapid testing. Test applications use the PCR nasal swabs.

Walk-in hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:30am to 6pm; Friday, 9:30am to 5pm; and Saturday, 9:30am to 2pm.

Gary Neighborhood Services, 300 W. 21st Avenue, also offers COVID-19 testing. It does not do rapid testing. Test applications use the PCR nasal swabs.

Walk-in hours are Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Testing performed regardless of ability to pay. Uninsured are covered by federal government. Insured persons should bring their health provider cards.

Story Posted:01/06/2021