Free coronavirus testing will be available at the Lyon County Fairgrounds on Thursday.
Well Health Kansas Market Manager Lyndsey Normand says testing will not be available on New Year’s Day, but it will be for New Year’s Eve. This is a departure from the original schedule, which had free tests ending Wednesday. It is also a departure from last week’s holiday schedule, when there was no testing for either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
Hours will be 9 am to 5:30 pm.
The free testing site has been applauded for giving residents another option for getting tested, but it has also been criticized at times. On the first day of testing Dec. 18, an “overwhelming” demand led to short supplies by afternoon and the subsequent prioritization of test kits for people who had registered online. Lines developed and stayed long with insufficient staff on site. Staff and test kit numbers improved by Dec. 19.
The most recent concern has to do with test results returning to residents. Several KVOE listeners said they had not received their results after getting tested Dec. 21 or Dec. 22. The initial projections were for results to return within 48-96 hours after testing. An update is pending.
With Wednesday’s announcement the free test site would be in place through January came word the Fairgrounds Anderson Building will be used for tests. It is not clear whether a walk-in approach will replace the current drive-up method. Plans of that nature need approval by Lyon County Public Health, and there is no word yet on how far along plans may be in the review process.
Lyon County officials are directing people with questions about the process or results to call GoGetTested at 877-837-8461. Residents are still encouraged to register online at www.GoGetTested.com/Kansas before going to the Fairgrounds for tests. Drive-ups are welcomed but will have to register on site.
10 am Wednesday: Residents waiting longer than expected for results from free test site
The free coronavirus testing line at the Lyon County Fairgrounds has been extended.
Initially set to end Wednesday evening, the free test site will now be available through January.
GoGetTested.com has not said whether the current hours of 9 am to 5:30 pm on a Monday-Saturday basis will be adjusted. Plans are developing for using the Fairgrounds Anderson Building for tests, although details haven’t been specified and it’s currently unclear whether a walk-in method at the building will replace the current drive-up approach outside it.
The test line had several issues when it started Dec. 18, including long lines, short supplies and short staff. Those were rectified the following day. However, some residents have told KVOE News they have not received their test results despite getting tests as early as Dec. 21. The early projections were results returning anywhere from 48-96 hours after testing. GoGetTested.com and Well Health, the companies organizing the test site, have not said why the test results have been delayed.
Residents who have not used the free service but plan to do so later are encouraged to register online at www.GoGetTested.com/Kansas, although drive-ups are still welcome.
5 pm Tuesday: Free testing site at Lyon County Fairgrounds extended through January
Tuesday’s availability was canceled due to the risk of bad weather, but area residents wanting free coronavirus tests now have that opportunity for a longer time than originally expected.
GoGetTested.com has extended the free test site at the Lyon County Fairgrounds through January. Testing was initially supposed to end Wednesday.
GoGetTested.com has not said whether the current hours of 9 am to 5:30 pm on a Monday-Saturday basis will be adjusted. Plans are developing for using the Fairgrounds Anderson Building for tests, although details haven’t been specified and it’s currently unclear whether a walk-in method at the building will replace the current drive-up approach outside it.
Residents who have not used the free service but plan to do so later are encouraged to register online at www.GoGetTested.com/Kansas, although drive-ups are still welcome. Residents have told KVOE News their test results have returned from 2-9 days after testing.
