DENVER – The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment says it is sending testing resources for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) to specific communities that haven’t been tested yet and plans to have a drive-up site at the Chaffee County Fairgrounds in Salida on Saturday.
The test site will be at 10165 County Road 120 in Salida and will be supported by members of the Colorado National Guard and Chaffee County Public Health.
Testing will be done between noon and 4 p.m. on Saturday. Chaffee County residents who have COVID-19 symptoms and a doctor’s order are eligible for testing, the CDPHE said.
The first 100 people in line will be tested, and the state will encourage all vehicles that arrive afterward to seek private testing by calling a medical provider and health care facility in advance.
No restrooms will be available, as has been the case at the other mobile drive-up testing sites.
The CDPHE says that it plans to send additional testing resources to other areas next week, and those areas will test people who are pre-selected by health workers in the area.
The state is continuing to prioritize the most at-risk groups, including people over 60 who are symptomatic, people with chronic health conditions and some health care workers, the CDPHE has said.
Anyone who believes they have symptoms of the virus is asked isolate themselves at home and avoid contact with others. If your symptoms become severe, call a medical provider, and if you have a medical emergency, call 911.
“People who are not at high risk of severe illness may not need to be evaluated in person or tested for COVID-19. Not everyone with symptoms will be tested right away,” the CDPHE said.
Anyone who has mild symptoms, believes they have been exposed to the virus and cannot get tested or are waiting on results are asked to stay home in isolation for at least 7 days since your symptoms first appeared. Once that time period has passed, you’re asked to stay isolated until you have not had a fever for at least 72 hours (without the use of medicine), and your symptoms have improved.
Click here for the latest on COVID-19 in Colorado.
