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.com, coronavirus.iowa.gov or GreatRiverHealth.org