The Pennsylvania Association of Intermediate Units (PAIU), in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH), have selected BLaST Intermediate Unit 17 to host a school/community testing center at their Canton office, located at 33 Springbrook Drive, Canton, PA 17724.

To ensure access to free COVID-19 testing and free over-the-counter tests for educators, families of school-aged children, and the broader community, BLaST IU 17 is offering a drive-through, on-demand test site in partnership with AMI Expeditionary Healthcare (AMI). The center is open to the general public Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. According to information from the PA Department of Health, this testing site is open to anyone age 2 and older. PCR tests are only available to ages 3 and older. No appointments are necessary, and anyone who feels they need a test will be served on a first-come, first-serve basis. In addition, if you wish to be tested, you do not need to be experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. Patients are encouraged to bring a photo-ID, but ID is not required to be tested. Appointments are not necessary, as registration is completed on-site.

Three forms of testing are being offered at the location, including point of care tests, where tests are performed and results are analyzed on-site; distribution of at-home COVID-19 antigen tests; and administration of the mid-nasal passage swab PCR testing.

“At BLaST, we position ourselves to be responsive to the changing needs of schools and communities. We are excited to be selected as one of 10 IU’s across the Commonwealth to offer this new health service to our community,” remarked BLaST IU 17’s Executive Director, Dr. Christina Steinbacher-Reed.