Mary Martin, left, community health manager, and Zorina Pina-Hauan, a family nurse practitioner, both from the Columbia-Boone County Health Department, prepare to perform a COVID-19 test May 6 on a man at the Hallsville High School. Audrain County will hold multiple free testing events throughout the county through June 5. [Don Shrubshell/Tribune]

Audrain County Health Department with the assistance of Arthur Center Community Health will hold multiple free testing events starting today and through next week. Doctor’s orders are not required to receive a test.

Testing dates and locations are:

• 2-5 p.m., today, Presser Performing Arts Center in Mexico
• 2-4 p.m., Sunday, Presser
• 10 a.m. to noon, Monday, Tri-County Park in Vandalia
• 2-5 p.m., Monday, Presser
• 2-5 p.m., Tuesday, Presser
• 1-2:30 p.m., Wednesday, Laddonia Ballpark
• 3-4:30 p.m., Wednesday, Martinsburg (site to be determined)
• 2-5 p.m., Thursday, Presser
• 2-5 p.m., June 5, Presser

“The governor extended the Phase 1 order because there is an uptick [of cases] across the state,” health administrator Sandra Hewlett said. “People went out and engaged in not the best practices over the Memorial Day Weekend. The state is anticipating an uptick next week.”

Covid-19 takes between three and 10 days for symptoms to appear, if at all, or to receive a diagnosis.

“This virus may be with us into next year and it really comes down to making smart choices,” Hewlett said.

These include regular hand washing, sanitizing and social distancing, she said.

nav-oc Naviga Writer 2020-05-29T16:46:03Z false yes NEWS The Mexico Ledger momex-052920-brief-free-testing