PITTSBURG, Kan. – A recently opened COVID testing site in Pittsburg runs into staffing issues and delayed results.
The Seeds of Hope Staffing Agency started hosting a drive-thru site at Don Gutteridge Sports Complex last week.
The agency planned to be open to the public from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Saturday. However, on Saturday, Jan. 22, no one was there. According to a worker on-site, they couldn’t set up because of a staffing shortage.
They do plan to operate Monday through Saturday moving forward, according to the City of Pittsburg. The city received several messages about the testing site not being opened on Saturday. The site is not sponsored by the City, but the Parks and Recreation Department did provide the location for the site.
“We’re trying to help alleviate the spread of infection. So instead of going into the hospital, you’re more than welcome to come here, stay in your car and we could test you,” says Julie Hawkins, owner of Seeds of Hope.
Since opening, the site has had an average of 90 folks show up to get tested a day.
Test results
There’s been a delay in the turnaround time for test results. The Seeds of Hope Staffing Agency are administering the PCR test. According to Julie Hawkins, the lab they work with only does PCR tests, not the rapid tests.
They are working with QualiTOX Laboratories out of McKees Rocks, PA. Hawkins says the results have been delayed because of a snowstorm in Pennsylvania. She says they are getting the results back to where they’ll come in 24 to 72 hours.
“They had a snowstorm last week, so we were out past 72 hours, but we’re coming down now to be in the normal range of 24 to 72,” says Hawkins.
According to a worker at the Pittsburg testing site, they are sending results to those who were tested via email. However, the worker says several people only left a phone number, but due to the staffing shortage at the site, they can’t get everyone called.
One resident tested there last week says the worker did not object to just having a phone number.
If you have any questions for Seeds of Hope, you can call 417-691-3131 or 417-355-3543.
Testing Cost
Julie Hawkins says it’s free to get tested. However, as of Wednesday, they’ll have to take a copy of your health insurance. Even if you don’t have insurance, you can still get tested for $0, according to Hawkins.
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