Barnesville resident Cheryl Fegley said she’s had COVID-19 and so have others in her household.

“I wouldn’t wish it on anybody,” she said Tuesday.

Fegley was among those who stopped by the Pop-Up AMI testing site at the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 in Mar Lin. Free testing is available for those 3 years and older. The drive-thru is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, having come to the county Sunday. In all, 61 counties in the state will have access to the clinics.

The 53-year-old mother said she was “extremely cautious and it didn’t matter. It still hit us,” she said of her positive results after having a test at a doctor’s office.

While her symptoms included loss of taste and smell and a headache, her son, Nolan, 23, also had it.

“He was down and out with flulike symptoms,” she said.

Despite what others may think, she said the virus is a real cause for concern.

“It’s out there. It exists,” she said.

Colin, her other son, said he wanted to keep his fellow wrestling teammates safe as he goes back to college.

Ron Zanella, 48, of Elysburg, experienced coughing and shortness or breath, so he wanted to get tested.

“It’s been hitting a lot closer to home,” he said, adding he knows people who have been diagnosed with COVID-19. All have recovered.

Zanella brought his children, Ander, 12, and Ellana, 9.

“This is going to tickle your nose for about 10 seconds. Good job, girl,” Kierra Jackson, a certified nursing assistant, said to Ellana after using swab.

Dawn Steckler, 63, of Minersville, does home health care.

“I need to protect my family and people I come in contact with,” she said.

Steckler said she adheres to social distancing, wears and mask and practices good hand hygiene daily.

“You have to be cautious and respect others,” she said.

Craig Chance, registered nurse and team leader at the testing site, said he is surprised with the count so far.

Sunday 375 people were tested. About 400 were tested Monday. Tuesday numbers were not available. Each day 440 tests can be provided.

“I didn’t expect this. That’s definitely good,” Chance said.

Results are provided in five to seven days. Those with negative test results will receive an email. A phone call is made to those with positive results.

This reporter participated in the testing. While it is a little uncomfortable when the swab rotates inside each nostril, the discomfort is a minor inconvenience to keep the public and those you love safe.