Limited COVID-19 testing supplies isn’t just impacting Healthier Lyon County and the residents it serves.
Lyon County Public Health says limited supplies have severely curtailed its ability to serve the county. Until further notice, Public Health is now rapid-testing first responders — EMS, law enforcement, healthcare workers and pharmacy workers — and residents needing test to confirm they can emerge from isolation. Test results may take up to five days to return.
Public Health updated its situation after Healthier Lyon County announced it had canceled its January COVID testing clinics because its supply stream through the state was out of stock. Clinics for February are on hold until supplies can be shipped.
Public Health Emergency Preparedness Director Jennifer Millbern says Public Health and Healthier Lyon County receive their supplies from different sources.
12:30 pm Wednesday: Free testing through Healthier Lyon County on hold until further notice
Earlier this week, Healthier Lyon County had to cancel one its free coronavirus test event because it was out of tests. Now, more free testing events are off the calendar.
Healthier Lyon County grant manager Daphne Mertens says the Kansas Department of Health and Environment couldn’t send bulk test shipments for a clinic planned Thursday — or any clinic for the foreseeable future, for that matter.
This means Healthier Lyon County has to cancel all its remaining clinics for this month and it can’t schedule any for next month until supplies are restored.
Healthier Lyon County has a few home test kits available, and Mertens says the agency is delivering those to residents in underserved populations upon request — the homebound, residents without transportation and people who can’t access testing.
There are other places to get COVID tests. Lyon County Public Health is offering free COVID tests, although reduced test numbers are prompting it to prioritize its rapid testing, and Public Health was exploring ways to expand local testing options before the announcement Wednesday by Healthier Lyon County. Residents wanting to use Public Health for tests need to schedule appointments online at www.publichealth.lyoncounty.org.
Newman Regional Health is also offering free COVID tests. Residents wanting to go to Newman Regional Health for free tests need to call 620-343-6801 for appointments — and they are now being asked not to visit ExpressCare or the hospital’s emergency room in an effort to keep the ER as free as possible for emergencies.
