John Hunt coronavirus testing site closes early due to high demand

John Hunt coronavirus testing site closes early due to high demand

The testing site.

Right now it's very different out here than it was this morning- testing wrapped up early when all the tests were gone.

The same is expected tomorrow the site is asking for no more than 4 people in a car.

Joyce thomas, manager of emergency preparedness"wi thin an hour we already had the line filled up to our max of 300 people."

Joyce thomas is the nurse in charge of huntsville hospital's drive thru clinic at john hunt park-- she told me tuesday morning- she was authorized to test an additional 50 patients because of the long line of cars..and said all 3 hundred and fifty people should now be at home in quarantine.

Joyce thomas, manager of emergency preparedness, "if you are sick enough to get tested, you need to stay at home.

You are positive in our eyes until proven otherwise."

Thomas told me - she was also in charge of the drive-thru site in the spring..

And is back because the number of cases and demand for tests is up.

Joyce thomas, manager of emergency preparedness" it's not gone.

I think because we've not really followed our guidelines like we should.'

Thomas is urging everyone to follow the madison county masking health order requiring masking.

Joyce thomas, manager of emergency preparedness"i think this a public health emergency.

I think we need to take masking very seriously and i encourage masking."

And she hopes everyone starts taking the virus more seriously.

Joyce thomas, manager of emergency preparedness"we don't know what tomorrow is going to bring.

We have to prepared and be cautious and take those preventative measures now because we really don't know this virus.

We are learning it as we go but we really got to take those health precautions."

Thomas told me they plan on continuing this drive-thru on monday thru friday until there is no longer a demand for testing.

And said it can take up to a week to get results.

Live in huntsville sm waay 31 news.