COVID-19 testing at OMHS this Friday

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The Shelby County Health Department will be offering a free drive-through COVID-19 testing clinic on Friday, May 1. Testing will take place at Oak Mountain High School from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. while supplies last.

Shelby EMA director Hub Harvey said that the Alabama Department of Public Health chose to come to Shelby County to perform the testing and they are supporting them and making sure they have everything they need. 

“We have been working with the Alabama Department of Public Health and their emergency preparedness personnel for some time now,” Harvey said. “We were trying to work out the best time and location to do a drive thru testing in Shelby County and everything finally came together for this Friday.” 

To be tested, individuals must be age 10 or older and meet these criteria:

  • The patient is symptomatic with at a minimum (measured or subjective) Fever OR cough OR shortness of breath, AND
  •  Immunocompromised or have co-morbidities, or
  • Age 65 years or older, or
  • Healthcare worker, or
  • Associated with a long-term healthcare facility, or
  • Symptoms are moderate, severe, or worsening.

Testing is not recommended for those without symptoms. If individuals have mild symptoms and do not fall into one of the above high-risk groups, it is recommended they self-isolate at home and call 1-888-264-2256 if symptoms worsen.

No appointment is necessary and there is no charge for the testing. 

“The more testing we can do, the more we know,” Harvey said. “That helps us make better, more informed decisions.”

As of Tuesday, Shelby County had performed 3,339 total test with 319 confirmed cases and 10 deaths.