September 1, 2020

Nebraska residents wanting a free COVID-19 test in McCook can do so during September and October. The tests are being offered by Community Hospital through the Nebraska initiative, TestNebraska, since July.

Drive-up testing will be held in McCook from 8-10 AM on September 2 and 16, and October 7 and 14 at the Merchant Building at the Red Willow County Fairgrounds.

Test days had initially been scheduled in Curtis and Trenton sites in September and October, but have been canceled due to recent low participation. Nearly 100 individuals were tested in McCook, Trenton, and Curtis in July, and 95 people were tested in those same communities in August. In addition, 150 students, athletes, and staff were tested at McCook Community College. Community Hospital organizers took over managing the event from the Nebraska National Guard in July.

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.

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

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.