If you were not among the 426 people who participated in the free COVID-19 testing this past Sunday, you have two more opportunities this weekend.
Salina Regional Health Center is hosting a free community COVID-19 testing event from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at COMCARE, 2090 South Ohio Street.
The screening will use saliva-based tests, which require electronic registration and spitting into a funnel. Participants do not have to be symptomatic to get tested.
Those planning to participate in the COMCARE testing are asked to:
• Not eat, drink, smoke, brush teeth, or chew gum 30 minutes before coming to be tested.
• Please bring a smart phone with texting and internet capability for kit registration.
• Wear a face mask.
There will be signage as well as staff members onsite directing traffic for the screening. Once participants have received a collection kit, they will be directed to park to complete the test using the instructions provided. A drop box will be provided for completed kits.
SRHC will mail completed kits to a reference lab for analysis and participants can expect to be notified of test results before Dec. 24 via text message from the lab. Kits will be distributed while supplies last.
This event is coordinated in partnership with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment in effort to expand COVID-19 testing in Kansas and is not a substitute for a doctor’s visit.
Sunday testing as well
Salina Family Healthcare Center also will be hosting a free community COVID-19 testing event at Bill Burke Park, 1501 East Crawford Street, on Sunday from 1-3 p.m.
Those interested in being tested should arrive at Bill Burke Park where they will be directed by SFHC staff members to pick up their test collection kit. Attendees should not eat, drink, smoke, brush teeth, or chew gum 30 minutes before the test.
Once attendees have grabbed their collection kits, they will be directed to park to complete the test. Instructions will be provided. Collection kits will be registered by attendees on their smart phones.
Attendees without a smart phone will receive assistance to register their test.
Once the test is complete, there will be a drop box for completed kits. SFHC will send all completed kits to a lab for analysis. Attendees will receive the results of their test via text message to their phones.