Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Health Testing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Paris to resume city antibody testing; council backs $25 nominal fee
Summary
Council approved resuming a drive-through antibody testing program using city kits and set a nominal $25 fee, with case-by-case fee waivers for those in financial need; council noted the difference between PCR and antibody testing.
The Paris City Council agreed May 11 to resume a city-run COVID‑19 antibody drive‑through testing program using remaining test kits and to charge a nominal $25 fee, with the city considering waivers for people in financial need.
The mayor explained the tests are antibody kits intended to indicate past infection, not the PCR swab tests used to detect current infection. He recommended reopening testing the week after the meeting on Tuesday, with additional days if demand warrants, and proposed a $25 charge to keep the service affordable for uninsured or self‑pay residents. “If we have some people… in dire financial straits, the city would certainly consider doing some free of charge as needed on a case‑by‑case basis,” the mayor said.
Council members and staff clarified that the state had provided mobile PCR testing earlier to meet immediate diagnostic needs, while the city's antibody program is intended for people who want to know whether they previously had COVID‑19. After discussion, a motion to resume the antibody testing and keep the $25 fee was seconded and approved.
Staff will schedule testing days and retain discretion to open additional slots if initial sessions fill; the city will also consider individual fee waivers.
