The new student COVID-19 testing sites in Lambton County are busy.

Lambton Public Health set up three sites this week in Sarnia, Petrolia and Forest where it is directing parents whose children need a COVID-19 test to return to school. Many of the symptoms of the fast spreading virus are similar to colds and flu. And that was placing a strain on the county’s other testing centres.

In the week of Sept. 17, over 1,300 tests were taken in Lambton. This week, there have been 930.

Lambton’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Sudit Ranade, says all three sites are now “up and running” and about 350 tests have been completed in the student centres since testing started.

Ranade also noted Petrolia’s regular assessment centre at the Central Lambton Family Health Team has moved to an online booking system. “That’s a really good option,” he says noting many people are calling for appointments but only getting a busy signal.

He expects more of the Lambton county sites will use online booking in the future.

Lambton County has had six people test positive for COVID-19 in the month of September including one on Wednesday. Two people are ill right now, but no one is in hospital.