The City of Gadsden and East Alabama Area Health Education Centers (AHEC), are hosting a free Covid-19 hot spot testing clinic on August 20, 2020, from 8 a.m. until noon in the parking lot of Gadsden City High School. A variety of organizations and agencies are partnering to offer this free testing opportunity. The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is providing the test kits and the lab work for the tests through an allocation from the CARES act.

Partners include UAB, Alabama Department of Public Health, Gadsden City Schools, Gadsden-Etowah Industrial Development Authority, Gadsden Fire Department, Gadsden Police Department, Gadsden Public Works, Gadsden-Etowah Emergency Management Agency, and Civil Air Patrol.

150 tests have been allocated for this drive-through testing clinic. Those getting tested will stay in their vehicles to ensure that the testing is as efficient and safe as possible. The Civil Air Patrol will fly the test swabs to UAB who will perform the necessary lab work.

Those getting tested for COVID-19 will be contacted with their test results within 48 hours. Tests will be administered on a first come - first served basis, and testing kits are limited. The tests are being provided free, and no insurance information will be collected.