Drive-thru COVID-19 testing site available at Nutter Center Nov. 28

The Philippine-American Society of Greater Dayton, the Philippine Nurses Association of Ohio, the Asian American Council of Dayton and other allied Asian groups will offer free drive-thru COVID-19 testing at the Wright State University Nutter Center on Saturday, Nov. 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Testing will take place in parking lot 8 behind the Nutter Center. Vehicles should enter the Nutter Center grounds from Col. Glenn Highway and North Fairfield Road.

The testing event is free and open to the public. Anyone planning to get tested is encouraged to preregister online for a 30-minute time slot, although drop-ins will be accepted. Contact information of those who preregister will be verified on-site.

Free testing is available for individuals with or without COVID-19 symptoms and a doctor’s note is not required. A valid photo ID is required for record-keeping. Up to 500 screenings will be provided.

Participants will remain in their cars while licensed technicians administer a nasal swab test. Physical distancing and mask requirements will be enforced.

Interpreters and translated materials will be available. Physicians and nurses will be available to provide consultations for those who are interested.

Organizers say they plan to offer an efficient and welcoming testing experience, as many student volunteers will assist the professional staff. They encourage anyone who might be reluctant to get tested or visit a clinic to participate in the drive-thru testing event.

“We want to make sure our communities go for testing and if it is provided by an Asian organization through people that they know, through people who may look like them, speak the same language, we will be more successful,” said Cora Munoz, president of the Ohio Asian American Health Coalition.

The Nov. 28 event is sponsored by the Philippine-American Society of Greater Dayton, the Asian American Council of Dayton, the Ohio Asian American Health Coalition and the Philippine Nurses Association of Central Ohio, with support from the Office of Latinx, Asian and Native American Affairs at Wright State and the Share Foundation.

The groups collaborate on other efforts to provide health screenings, especially within the Asian community in Ohio.

We do a lot for our community. Our heart is in it and we’re all committed,” said Manju Sankarappa, executive director of the Ohio Asian American Health Coalition.

Mia Honaker, associate director of the Office of Latinx, Asian and Native American Affairs (LANA), said it is important for LANA to supports similar community organizations and their events.

“Many of the volunteers and families that are part of these organizations and those that they serve are LANA students and alumni, and we will continue to provide support not only on-campus but off-campus as well,” Honaker said. “We also support this event because the importance of testing will help fight the spread of this virus, and it also helps protect you and your loved ones by knowing if you are positive for COVID-19 or not. The safety of our students and their community is LANA’s top concern during this pandemic.”

A number of the volunteers helping to organize the drive-thru testing site said they were personally motivated to get involved.

Ana Sucaldito, who is pursuing a Ph.D. in health behavior health promotion, said her mother is an essential worker who tested positive for COVID-19 and her grandmother is in the hospital receiving treatment for COVID-19 complications.

“As a student, I try to provide as much help to my community as possible,” Sucaldito said. “Giving people this chance will give them peace of mind for their family, for their protection.”

Cristina Garinger, president of the Filipino Nurses Association of Central Ohio, is a registered nurse working in an ICU caring for COVID-19 patients. “I want to be involved to make sure preventative measures are in place and do something for the community before our hospitals fill up,” she said.

For more information about the Nov. 28 drive-thru testing site, contact philamsociety@gmail.com.