© 2024 WVIK
Listen at 90.3 FM and 98.3 FM in the Quad Cities, 95.9 FM in Dubuque, or on the WVIK app!
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

COVID-19: National Guard Helps Iowa with Testing in Scott Co.

Soldiers are helping Iowa test people for COVID-19 in Davenport.

On Monday, the Iowa Army National Guard, Iowa DOT, and state health department set up a test site at North Park Mall.

Herb Trix has more.

Credit submitted / Iowa Army National Guard
/
Iowa Army National Guard
Colonel Mike Wunn, Iowa Army National Guard Communications Director

Colonel Mike Wunn says the first step in the process is for residents to take the online, Test Iowa assessment.

Then if warranted, the patient will receive a Q-R code and a referral to get tested at a local test site.

About 20 Iowa National Guard members are working with the other agencies in Davenport to direct traffic and manage the test site.

Sometimes, they also take completed tests to the lab. 

The guard has helped at test sites in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Sioux City, and Waterloo. Members have also helped with testing health care workers at long term care facilities and employees of meat processing plants. 

Wunn says drive through testing doesn't take very long, since the state gives each person a date and time to get tested. The Davenport test site will be open weekedays from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. through May 22nd. 

Nearly 900 Iowa National Guard soldiers and airmen are working across the state to help respond to the pandemic. Their jobs include distribution of food and supplies. And about 150 are helping at state health department call centers with contact tracing and investigation.

Officially, Michelle's title for 28 years was WVIK News Editor. She did everything there is to do in the newsroom and whatever was needed around the radio station. She also served as Acting News Director from September 2023 - January 2024.
Related Content