Hospital adding TestNebraska opportunities

Wednesday, July 29, 2020

McCOOK, Neb. – TestNebraska, a free COVID-19 testing initiative for Nebraska residents, was so successful for McCook, Curtis and Trenton sites in July, that Community Hospital is adding more testing days as well as expanding each site to accommodate more people. Nearly 100 individuals were tested in McCook, Trenton and Curtis in July. Testing days will continue through October. Community Hospital organizers took over managing the event from the Nebraska National Guard this month.

Testing will be held on the following dates and places:

McCook (Drive-up testing from 8-10 AM)

Aug. 5, 19, Sept. 2, 16, Oct. 7 and 14 at the Merchant Building at the Red Willow County Fairgrounds

Curtis (Drive-up testing from 8-10 AM)

Aug. 24, Sept. 21 and Oct. 26 at the Curtis Memorial Community Center, 201 Garlick Avenue

Trenton (Drive-up testing from 8-10 AM)

Aug. 25, Sept. 22 and Oct. 27 at the Community Building/401 East First Street

Appointments are necessary by going to TestNebraska.com. Eligible residents will receive a QR code, unique to that specific individual and not transferable, which is good for only eight days, so plan accordingly to coordinate with the day you want to attend. Bring the QR code and your driver’s license to the appointment. For any residents who do not have home Internet, appointments can be made at the test sites, but all individuals are encouraged to make reservations at home prior to coming to the testing site if at all possible.

“We highly encourage individuals to consider getting tested,” said Sharon Conroy, RN, Community Hospital Infection Prevention Nurse. “By participating in TestNebraska, we can identify those patients who may be asymptomatic (infectious carriers who show no symptoms), and identify small pockets of infected individuals in our community. This helps stop the spread of the disease.”

From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Nebraskans have been asking for more widespread access to testing.

TestNebraska, a State of Nebraska initiative, partners with Nomi Health to provide Community Hospital with access to a pre-existing supply chain of testing that works, project management, and clinical expertise in collaboration with local hospital staff to get the job done. Community Hospital and public health systems across the state needed immediate access to scarce resources, high-quality testing equipment, and an efficient process, which this partnership delivers.

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