Great River Health to open COVID-19 testing site May 27

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Residents must complete assessment at www.testiowa.gov to get an appointment

WEST BURLINGTON – In partnership with the State of Iowa, Great River Health will provide the only Test Iowa drive-thru coronavirus test site in the southeast region of the state. It will open Wednesday, May 27.

The Test Iowa Initiative began April 21 in an effort to expand testing capacity to limit the spread of COVID-19 in Iowa.

“Having a Test Iowa location in West Burlington will help save lives,” said Matt Wenzel, president and CEO, Great River Health. “Protecting the health of our region is in the forefront of everything we do as a health system, which makes our partnership with the state so beneficial. We’re both demonstrating our passion and dedication to the lives and livelihood of people in our region.”

People who have appointments will be tested for COVID-19 – coronavirus – while remaining in their cars. The test site is at the Des Moines county Fairgrounds on the campus of Southeastern Community College. The entrance to the drive-thru testing area is on Gear Avenue.   

Gov. Kim Reynolds announced Thursday that anyone who wants a test can now get one. To do so, Iowans must take the online health assessment at TestIowa.com. Developed in coordination with the Iowa Department of Public Health, assessment questions include symptoms, exposure to COVID-19, occupation and travel.

Following the assessment, people who are interested in a test will be directed to make an appointment. They will receive a confirmation email from Test Iowa with instructions. Appointments for the Great River Health drive-thru testing site will be made by telephone. 

Testing, which includes taking a nasal swab, takes a couple of minutes. Swabs are sent to the State Hygienic Laboratory. Results usually are available in 48 to 72 hours.

After providing the swab, people should go home and self-quarantine until results are received by email from Test Iowa. Continued quarantine will be required for those with positive results. Those who have severe symptoms at the test site may be advised to go to Great River Medical Center’s Emergency Department, which is across the street from the fairgrounds.

“I’m grateful to Gov. Kim Reynolds, her staff, Sen. Tom Greene and our staff at Great River Health for bringing the Test Iowa drive-thru testing site to West Burlington,” Wenzel said.

For more information, visit TestIowa.comcoronavirus.iowa.gov or GreatRiverHealth.org

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Coronavirus, COVID-19, Fairgrounds, Great River Health, Pen City Current, Test Iowa, West Burlington

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