Community members without COVID-19 symptoms can now request a test at Gunnison
Valley Health.
Gunnison Valley Health’s Chief Nursing Officer Andrew Bertapelle
said this testing option is for those people who may need a test for travel
purposes, visiting loved ones in other states or other situations that
require evidence that a COVID-19 test was taken with a negative result.
“Many facilities, airlines and countries are now requiring evidence
of a negative COVID-19 test,” Bertapelle said. “We are pleased
to now offer our community a testing solution for those that need or want
a test and do not present with any COVID-19 symptoms,” he said.
Gunnison Valley Health’s COVID-19 test for asymptomatic people, or
those who do not have symptoms, is a self-swab test that is ordered online
2 business days prior to collecting the test. The fee for the test is
$150 which covers the cost of the test kit and processing of the specimen
through the Mayo Clinic.
“This test is not a rapid test,” Bertapelle added. “We
expect patients to receive their results within 48 to 96 hours in Gunnison
Valley Health’s patient portal,” he said.
To request the test, community members are required to:
-
Order the test kit online by
clicking HERE and allow 2 business days for processing.
- Collect the test kit from Gunnison Valley Health’s Main Entrance
Monday to Friday between the hours of 7.30am and 12pm (noon). This ensures
courier deadlines are met.
- Be prepared to take the test and return it immediately to reception the
same day the test is collected.
Bertapelle added as more tests begin to flood the market, he does foresee
more economical and quicker options will soon be available.
“Working with Public Health, we are constantly looking at more affordable
testing options that are FDA approved,” he said. “We would
have liked to offer rapid tests now for the community testing, but due
to test availability throughout the country, we cannot secure enough rapid
tests to make this a sustainable option.”
“The hardest part is predicting the future, but at the end of the
day, ensuring Gunnison Valley Health is well prepared and our community
is safe are our top priorities.”
For more information on testing solutions for people without COVID-19 symptoms,
click HERE. If you do have COVID-19 symptoms, please contact Gunnison County’s
hotline at 970-641-7660.