Riley County Health Department Offers Free COVID-19 Tests Starting Monday

Riley COunty, KS-The Riley County Health Department (RCHD) will once again provide free, in-person COVID-19 tests starting Monday, September 12th. Testing will be available by appointment only, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. No walk-ins will be accepted. People can schedule appointments as soon as two hours in advance and as far as five days out.

Schedule appointments at https://rileycountymobilelab.squarespace.com/ or by clicking the schedule a test link at www.rileycountyks.gov/covid.

Nasal swab PCR testing will be conducted using the RCHD mobile lab trailer. The trailer will be parked in the lower parking lot near the RCHD Family and Child Resource Center at 2101 Claflin Road. Access is available from Charles Little Road. Patients will be asked to follow the signs, park in one of the designated spots, and remain in their vehicle for the test.

Test results will be available within 30 minutes. People who have scheduled appointments will be asked to fill out information on the PATIENTXCHANGE portal in order to receive results. If someone has questions or doesn’t receive their results after 30 minutes, they can email epi.surveillance@rileycountyks.gov.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is making this free testing possible through their Community Testing Partner (CTP) program. Patients will not be asked for insurance or any financial information to be eligible, and anyone can get tested.

“We’re incredibly grateful for the KDHE support that is making this effort possible,” said Local Health Officer and Health Department Director Julie Gibbs. “The demand for testing has been increasing in our community as case numbers rise, and we recognized the need to provide free testing again. This way, people can have a quick, easy, and reliable way to get tested and not worry about the cost.”

RCHD will continue to distribute free at-home test kits at the health clinic, located at 2030 Tecumseh Road.

Test results will be shared with KDHE to include in community reporting. Anyone who tests positive should follow CDC guidelines for isolation. Find details and the Isolation and Exposure calculator at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/isolation.html 

Find more information and data about the Riley County COVID-19 response by visiting www.rileycountyks.gov/covid.

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