There were 464 tests for COVID-19 performed at the five-day clinic held in Bradford last week, reported the McKean County Department of Emergency Services.

The mobile testing program was part of the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s initiative to bring AMI Testing to key locations throughout the state. AMI Strike Team 3, led by Annette Steinhaus, RN, managed the McKean County clinic.

The Department of Health, Pennsylvanian Emergency Management Agency and McKean County Department of Emergency Services monitored the testing program. DES Director, Tracy Carl, worked on-site for the five days of the program to assist with any issues that may have arisen.

“This was a phenomenal collaboration to bring the testing here for those five days,” stated Carl. “The county was able to secure a site, AMI had a professional team to conduct the testing, and we commend the outstanding efforts of both Pitt-Bradford and Bradford Township to keep the public safe.”

The testing was conducted at the former site of the St. Bernard’s School on West Washington Street. The building is now owned by the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, which provided plowing, salting and maintenance, as needed. Bradford Township Volunteer Fire Department provided traffic support for the testing event.

“This was also an opportunity for us to essentially do a dry run for providing services to the public,” said Carl. “Should we be tapped by DOH to provide a Mass Vaccination Clinic, we are confident that the logistics and processes are already well-established.”

Pitt-Bradford has agreed to a one-year licensing agreement with McKean County to provide testing and vaccination clinics to the public at this location. Pitt-Bradford also provided network connectivity to assist DOH and PEMA staff who were on site.