For the next two Thursdays, the City of Newton is partnering with Lackey Memorial Hospital in Forest to provide a temporary, drive-through testing site for the coronavirus at the former Pioneer Community Hospital due to the increased number of COVID-19 cases in the county.
The testing site will be conducted from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both Thursday, April 30, and Thursday, May 7, at the old hospital, located at 9427 Eastside Drive in Newton.
In a statement from the City of Newton, further testing dates will be based on need and announced at a later date.
“Testing will be by appointment only,” according to the statement. “Individuals desiring to be tested should call the hotline number, 601-540-0395, to schedule an appointment for screening and testing. The City would like to thank Sen. Tyler McCaughn, Rep. Randy Rushing and Rep. Troy Smith for their assistance in setting up the testing site.”
As of Monday, Newton County has 64 cases, a number that has tripled in the last week. Still there have been no deaths in the county as a result of the virus, and there has only been one coronavirus case at a long-term healthcare facility, such as a nursing home. That case is no longer active, according to the Mississippi Department of Public Health statistics.
Around Newton, Scott County has 258 cases while Lauderdale leads the state with more than 300 cases.
“On that I-20 corridor, you can tell that we are right in the middle of two hot spots,” said city attorney Brian Mayo at the April 21 board of aldermen meeting. “The city still has a curfew that’s in effect until May 4. So while there is a lot of talk about opening things back up, our numbers are still going up. So we encourage everyone to shelter in place and only do essential travel.”
Mayo also reiterated guidelines from the Mississippi Department of Health, which included that masks should be worn in public places. In order to be tested for COVID-19, you must be screened first. He also recommended using an approved screening app, which can refer you to a testing site.
In other business, the aldermen:
• paid Steve Dixon $400 for monthly rent on a storage facility that have been moved out of City Hall for the renovation project.
• Paid $110,082.71 on the city hall project when funds become available.
• Paid Neel-Schaffer $954.50 when funds become available on the CDBG Sewer Rehabilitation Project.
• Purchased a 1/8th page ad in the Newton County Appeal graduation section.
• Approved closing City Hall for Confederate Memorial Day on April 27.
• Paid Kone, Inc. $1,279.95 for maintenance coverage on the City Hall elevator.
• Approved a maintenance agreement on the City Hall elevator door for $525.
• Discussed the Mississippi Power franchise ordinance options. The issue will be discussed in May to set up a vote to renew the 3 percent that the city receives from the power company on power rates. Right now, the city is considering a June election date.
• Will install a rubber speed bumps on East and West Tatum Street at the intersection of South Main Street where an accident occurred recently. The cost is up to $200 per set of rumble strips.
• Approved starting bids for surplus property in the police department. On the two cars, he recommended a $300 starting bid, and the truck starting bid will be $2,000.
