A few motorists were in line around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5, for free COVID-19 tests at Central Park in Warsaw. The state-run service will continue through Saturday. InkFreeNews photo by Dan Spalding.

By Dan Spalding
InkFreeNews

WARSAW – As one COVID-19 testing service concludes later this week, another opportunity for testing has been lined up in Warsaw.

The state-sponsored drive-thru clinic at Central Park, which is in its fourth week, will conclude on Saturday.

Hours for free testing through Saturday are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The temporary site can now provide tests for children as young as 2 years old. The clinic is in the west parking lot of Central Park.

The testing site had been averaging nearly 200 tests per day, but that has dropped off somewhat in recent days. A spokesperson for the state-run clinic said they had more than 100 people receive tests on Monday, Aug. 3.

Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer announced the tentative closing date at a press briefing earlier this week, but added that they are seeking to have the services extended.

Meanwhile, Thallemer confirmed Wednesday that Parkvew Warsaw will begin a testing service on Monday in Warsaw.

Exact details about how the program will work have not yet been released by the hospital.

Parkview will join three MedStat facilities that continue to offer testing in Kosciusko County.

The service at Parkview will be paid with CARES Act money from the city of Warsaw and Kosciusko County, Thallemer said.

Also during the meeting, Kosciusko County Health Officer Dr. William Remington offered renewed support for the opening up of area public schools this month.

Tippecanoe Valley school district reopens on Aug. 12. Wawasee and Whitko school districts plan to reopen on Aug. 13. Warsaw schools will reopen classrooms on Aug. 18.

Area school districts are all giving parents a choice of using distance learning and the decisions come as some districts in northern Indiana are electing to delay plans to reopen and rely on distance learning.

The weekly city hall virus briefings have been conducted weekly for several months, but are being cut back to once every two weeks unless it becomes necessary. The next press briefing, which will be available online, will be 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 19.