An electronic sign board was positioned at the site’s entrance, an otherwise empty rain-slicked parking lot. Messages alternated between “WINDOWS UP” and “BY APPOINTMENTS ONLY,” as cars slowly approached at five-minute intervals. Rows of bright orange traffic cones led motorists directly to a lone health worker wearing blue scrubs, goggles, gloves and a face mask. A thin yellow raincoat kept her dry. Her colleague, dressed similarly, stood 20 feet to the side under a white canopy. An unseen police officer watched from his cruiser, just beyond.
The masked-and-goggled worker stepped forward as each vehicle approached. “Keep your window up,” she would command through a small bullhorn positioned inches away from the car’s side glass, then leaned in close to hear what the driver had to say. After a few short minutes of this one-sided exchange, a bright green sticky note was affixed to the cars’ window frame. Occasionally she would step back into the tent to confer with her colleague. Offering a loud “Have a good day!” through the bullhorn, the worker waved each vehicle through another row of cones, around the corner of an office building and out of sight.
In partnership with a local hospital, the county is offering the COVID-19 tests for Arlington residents, county and school system employees and patients of the hospital who are experiencing symptoms. Patients must have an appointment as well as a written order for the testing from a licensed provider before arriving at the drive-through site. Test results are made available within a week, during which time the patient is expected to self-quarantine.
Arlington has one of the highest numbers of reported cases in the state which have risen dramatically since its testing site opened on March 18.
