COVID testing offered
Low number participate
BY TYSON SMEDSTAD
Free testing was offered to 500 people from Garrison for the COVID-19 virus.
Mayor Stu Merry led the charge in securing the testing site less than two weeks ago.
“For a while we thought the effort would be futile. It wasn’t until about 10 days or two weeks ago we were told it was a go,” Merry said.
Only 166 participants came through the three lanes of service of the 500 tests that were available.
“I think (it went) as good as expected. I was disappointed with the turnout, but the Guard and health officials said they were fine with how many showed up,” Merry said.
The test was simple, a quick swab of the tonsils and residents were on their way.
“One thing to keep in mind, we put the ball in motion on this a number of weeks ago when the virus was going strong,” Merry said. “With the governor’s stressing more testing, things moved along at a brisker pace.”
Testers weren’t disappointed in the turnout.
“It went off without a hitch, and we are thankful to those who took advantage of the testing.
City officials said they are grateful to Noelle Kroll, County Emergency Manager, and First District Health officials who took the idea and ran with it,” Merry said. “Without their help, and that of CHI St. Alexius Health-Garrison staff this would not have happened.”
