Colorado Continues to Bolster Testing with Addition of Free, Quick, and Easy COVID-19 testing kiosks

Testing kiosks to open at University of Northern Colorado, DIA, pop-ups in communities across Colorado

GREELEY - The state is launching new COVID-19 testing kiosks across the state. The first two COVID-19 testing kiosks will open in Greeley at UNC, Denver International Airport (DIA) and based on demand will be strategically deployed to additional communities. CDPHE has partnered with Curative to increase testing in long-term care facilities and in our rural and frontier communities. The testing kiosk at the University of Northern Colorado is at Nottingham Field and will be open from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, starting on November 7th at the University of Northern Colorado campus.

“Colorado has ramped up our testing capacity and supply procurement throughout this pandemic. We are acting swiftly and strategically when it comes to testing and these new kiosks will help us get more people tested in our communities,” said Gov. Polis. “Testing is a critical tool as is avoiding socializing outside of your home or family unit, steering clear of large gatherings, wearing masks, physical distancing, and washing your hands regularly.” 

(UNC President Andy Feinstein returns his test. 

Photo courtesy of the University of Northern Colorado.) 

The testing kiosk in Greeley is a prototype and is quick, easy, and free for all students and staff, as well as the surrounding Greeley community.

(photo courtesy of the University of Northern Colorado) 

In addition, the state is continuing to support mobile test sites and pop-up community testing events communities across the state. There are more than 50 free community testing sites across the state, as well as dozens of locations offered by private providers. The state’s website has a list of locations. The state will continue to work with local partners to meet community testing needs in a manner that best serves their residents.

The state is encouraging all Coloradans with symptoms to get tested immediately. Symptoms include: Fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea. 

While testing is an important tool in the COVID-19 response, the state cautions that a negative test doesn’t mean it’s OK to meet in large gatherings or ignore other public health orders, like wearing a mask. All Coloradans need to mask up, physically distance, avoid large gatherings, and stay home while sick. Anyone who gets tested because of symptoms or because of a possible exposure should be in isolation/quarantine while waiting for the test result. All individuals who believe they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should quarantine for a full 14 days, even if they have testing done and that testing is negative. 

The specific test is an easy to administer oral-fluid swab test that tests for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19. The self-collected oral fluid swab involves having the person cough first, which releases the virus from the upper and lower respiratory tract. The virus is caught in the saliva, and then the patient swabs the inside of their cheeks and the roofs of their mouths. Once complete, the patient seals their test within a secure container and returns it to a medical professional to be administered in the lab. Curative provides an end-to-end testing service, managing everything from the supply chain to processing and delivering results. Patients should expect to receive test results within 48 hours via text or email.  Continue to stay up to date by visiting covid19.colorado.gov.

(Photo courtesy of the University of Northern Colorado.) 
 

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