With an increase in testing resources, the Montgomery County Health Department will be screening those over the age of 65 with underlying chronic medical conditions who are showing symptoms for COVID-19. Patients with underlying conditions showing symptoms are encouraged to call their doctor for an assessment over the phone.
Testing is also provided for healthcare workers and first responders with symptoms, but will also include persons with a fever and cough who have serious chronic underlying conditions putting them at risk for complications. Testing is by appointment only and with a doctor’s order.
Underlying chronic medical conditions include:
• Chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma
• Serious heart conditions
• Conditions that can cause a person to be immunocompromised, including cancer treatment, smoking, bone marrow or organ transplantation, immune deficiencies, poorly controlled HIV or AIDS, and prolonged use of corticosteroids and other immune weakening medications.
• Severe obesity (body mass index of 40 or higher)
• Diabetes
• Chronic kidney disease and who are undergoing dialysis
• Liver disease
Once a patient receives an order to be tested, their doctor will provide further instructions for scheduling an appointment. Symptomatic individuals with more serious symptoms such as chest pain, high fever or shortness of breath should seek medical attention immediately. Those with mild illness should stay home and self-isolate using CDC guidance.
This drive-through testing program is being made available at Crawfordsville High School through the collaborative efforts of the Montgomery County Health Department, Franciscan Health Crawfordsville, Franciscan Physician Network, Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency, Alverno Laboratories, the Crawfordsville Police Department and the Crawfordsville Community School Corporation. Limited drive-through testing is a methodology that is proving to be the most efficient means to test while conserving precious Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
