Health officials work together at the mobile COVID-19 testing unit Saturday morning at First Baptist Church in Henderson. This one-day only testing was provided by the Texas Department of State Health Services, Texas Department of Emergency Management, the Regional Advisory Council and other state and local agencies. Participants had to register for an appointment and show certain symptoms.

Despite being nervous about receiving a mobile coronavirus test, Henderson resident Deyalonda Oliver said she now feels safer and the test was a gentle, smooth process.

Oliver was one of a few East Texans who attended the one day only drive-thru swab testing at First Baptist Church in Henderson on Saturday.

This testing was provided by the Texas Department of State Health Services, Texas Department of Emergency Management, the Regional Advisory Council and other state and local agencies. Participants had to register for an appointment and show certain symptoms.

Those include fever and/or chills; cough (dry or productive); fatigue, body aches/muscle or joint pain; shortness of breath; sore throat; headaches; nausea/vomiting/diarrhea; nasal congestion; and loss of taste and/or smell.

Oliver wanted to be tested to feel safe since she works in housekeeping at an assisted living facility. She and her fellow employees are tested several times a day with temperature checks, she said.

While she has not experienced the major symptoms of cough and fever, Oliver said she did have headaches and body aches a few weeks ago.

“I have to make sure I’m protecting everything around me, including people,” she said. “By me getting tested today, it really relieved me. I’m glad they came this way.”

Rusk County Emergency Management Coordinator James Pike said military members and state health officials came out to help rural areas with local testing efforts.

As of Friday, Rusk County has 34 total COVID-19 cases, including one death, seven recoveries and 26 active cases, according to the Rusk County Office of Emergency Management.

Similar one-day mobile testing was available this weekend in other East Texas rural spots like Harrison, Panola, Marion and Cass counties.

Pike said results are expected to come back within 48 hours. Officials are able to administer up to 60 tests.

By having the drive-thru testing this weekend, Pike said it could help the people who haven’t had a chance to get tested or those who are just now experiencing symptoms.

These symptoms were two mentioned in some of the criteria for receiving mobile testing on Saturday.

The church was selected as the location because it had a covered area that was at least two lanes wide, Pike said.

“The church was more than happy to let us use it,” Pike said.

Oliver said there were no cars backed up and there wasn’t a long wait in line. She noted those giving the tests were very careful and kind as well.

“It didn’t take a lot of time,” she said. “The swabs are done very quickly.”

Oliver encouraged people to continue to wash their hands and wear protective gear, especially around the elderly.