Free COVID-19 tests available next two Wednesdays at RW County Fairgrounds

McCOOK, Neb. -- Nebraska residents can receive a free COVID-19 test in McCook the next two Wednesdays. The tests are being offered by Community Hospital through the Nebraska initiative, TestNebraska. Drive-up testing will be held in McCook from 8to 10 a.m. on Wednesdays, Oct. 21 and 28 at the Merchant Building at the Red Willow County Fairgrounds.

 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.Individuals applying for TestNebraska MUST have a Nebraska address.

 “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 pockets of infected individuals in our community. This helps stop the spread of the disease.”

 Those tested through TestNebraska will receive an email in up to 72 hours with a link with their unique ID number to retrieve their test. Please do not call the Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department, or Community Hospital for your test results. If there has been no communication from TestNebraska you can call (402) 207 9377. If they test positive, a participant will also receive a phone call from the health department, so submitting an accurate phone number is important.

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. Community Hospital organizers took over managing the event from the Nebraska National Guard in July.