Meetinghouse Carpark Becomes Busy Drive-through Covid Testing Site

In July, with cases of Covid increasing in Logan, QML Pathology labs, with the support of local leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, began using Loganholme meetinghouse grounds as a pop-up Covid testing facility.

Last year, leaders of the Beenleigh Stake (group of congregations) were approached by QML Pathology about using the meetinghouse grounds for testing. Kevin Thomas, Continuous Improvement Manager Business Operations for QML, worked with Queensland Health and the Church to prepare plans.

Local Church leader, Olene Tuiatua, noted, “the Covid pandemic has changed the way we live and has affected everyone around the world. Our prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, has encouraged us to be good global citizens. Working with QML and using the Loganholme building as a [COVID-19] testing site is one way we can be good global citizens and help our community.”

Plans were not immediately implemented, due to the low number of Covid cases in Logan, however during the increase of cases in July, the site became operational. The Church building, perfectly located on a main road, became a busy testing site while the wrap around carpark accommodated testing while individuals remained in their car.

Kevin Thomas, from QML said, "This partnership between QML Pathology and the Loganholme meetinghouse has been a fantastic community initiative and has allowed us to operate a pop-up drive-through clinic and to maximise the number of people that could get tested locally."

“This site has enabled QML Pathology to collect over 1600 swabs from the area in the past two weeks of operations. This is all contributing in a positive way to our statewide response to this pandemic. We are all working together making Queensland safer, one swab at a time.”

President Tuiatua remarked, “We are grateful for this wonderful opportunity to help our local community during this changing and challenging period. We pray for all members of our community and for the safety and care of families and individuals with the pandemic and are humbled to be able to assist where we can.”

For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, humanitarian work is an important way to make a difference in the community. When the COVID-19 pandemic rolled out across the world, members of the Church began to find new, safe ways to serve the community. Although traditional service projects couldn’t be performed as stay home orders took place, members around the world have found different ways to reach out and help.