New location prioritizes testing for school-related exposures
In the City of Fishers’ ongoing effort to support its schools, the Fishers Health Department this week announced a second COVID-19 testing site dedicated to prioritizing testing for school-related exposures for Hamilton Southeastern Schools and private schools in Fishers.
The site will open Monday, Nov. 23 for testing Monday through Saturday. Alternative hours will be in place for Thanksgiving week.
As COVID-19 cases have increased over the last several weeks, the Health Department has been working with its suppliers to dedicate additional testing for schools. Students, teachers and staff of all Fishers-based schools (including Noblesville-based Durbin Elementary) will receive priority testing at this location. This includes testing for any same-household individuals of those with a positive case or confirmed close contact.
Fishers Public Health Director Monica Heltz told the Reporter’s newsgathering partner WISH-TV that most of the cases in the schools aren’t actually happening during school.
Heltz said her staff continues to hear about sleepovers, family gatherings and parties which have turned out to be where many of the cases are coming from.
Heltz
“The inability to get a test has impacted what’s happening in schools, like Hamilton Southeastern which first had to switch to remote learning because of staffing issues. Several days later, the district announced all students would learn from home through at least Dec. 4,” Heltz said. “If they want their kids in school, or if they want the economy to be able to stay open and all of those things that we are trying to support the best we can in a public health system, and all the systems we’re trying to put in place, then it’s really important to understand the effect the outside interactions have on our ability to do those things.”
Residents may make an appointment by visiting fishers.in.us/testing and selecting Testing for Fishers Residents.
The Fishers Health Department secondary testing site is located at 8933 Technology Drive, Fishers. Appointments can be scheduled beginning Monday, Nov. 23.
Hours of operation for the secondary site:
- Monday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Tuesday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Wednesday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Thursday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Friday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Saturday: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Sunday: Closed
Thanksgiving week hours of operation:
- Monday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Tuesday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Wednesday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Fishers Health Department continues to identify ways to increase its testing capacity and resources to better serve its residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.