By AMY RICKER
Great Bend Post
When it comes to getting tested for COVID-19, drive-thru testing sites have popped up all over the country. These sites have been effective at keeping the medical staff and the occupants in the vehicle safe while increasing the number of tests in a shorter amount of time due to the efficiency of the drive-thru process.
County Health Educator Katelyn Sigler advises anyone experiencing fever, fatigue, or shortness of breath to get tested for coronavirus. The Barton County Health Department has a drive-thru clinic with nurses staffed in their mobile unit. She says the number of people using the drive-thru has recently seen an uptick.
“For example, on Monday, we had 32 get tested, and I would say that’s above average. Our positivity rate was at 40%, which is still pretty high,” explained Sigler.
Sigler says there is no cost for the nasal swab test, and results are coming back, on average, within 48 hours.
“We’re asking that everyone fill out the forms before they come because it makes it quicker for the nurses and for them to come and go. We have COVID testing forms on the health department page on the Barton County website. Those can be printed and filled out and bring them to their visit, or they can email it after filling it out as it is a fillable form.”
Drive-thru testing is available weekly on Monday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the health department. Testing forms can be found at bartoncounty.org under the health department tab. Prefilling the testing form will expedite your visit but is not required.