Testing is considered one of the most important ways to reduce the spread of COVID-19, and it has becomeeven more critical nowas the delta variant spreads across the globe and as case numbers begin to rise in Johnson County.
For months, Iowans were tested at hospitals, pharmacies and clinics organized by the state's Test Iowa program. However,the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued Emergency Use Authorizations for a list of self-administered tests, which can now be found in several locations. Thosetake-home tests have become a common way to find out if you've been infected.
In July, Iowachanged its program from on-site testing to a freetake-home test kit, which can be mailed to homes or picked up at locations across the state. Pharmacies such as CVSand Walgreens also sell take-home tests.
While some pharmacies discontinued offering COVID-19 testing on-site, some such as the Hy-Vee on North Dodge Street in Iowa Cityhave started to offer it testing again starting Monday. On Monday afternoon, the website was showing appointments available as soon as Wednesday morning.
The number of people testing in Johnson County has increased slightly over the past couple of months, according to Johnson County Public Health Department Community Health Division Manager Sam Jarvis. Toward the end of June and beginning of July, 200 to 250 tests were being done daily and now the average is 250 to 300, he said.
The number of infections has also increased recently, leading the department last week to recommend mask-wearing in public indoor settings.Johnson County reported 109 cases of COVID-19last week, up from 59 cases a week earlier.
More:Iowa City schools release COVID-19 guidance including mask, vaccine recommendations. Questions remain.
When to get tested
"If you have symptoms or have had a known exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, you should be tested regardless of your vaccination status," the CDC recommends.
After a known exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, people who are fully vaccinated should get tested for the illness within three to five days. People who aren't vaccinated should quarantine and get tested immediately, according to the CDC.
Jarvis added that, as always, the public health department advises that if anyone is showing symptoms they should contact their medical provider.
There are several ways to get tested for COVID-19 in Johnson County. Depending on your situation, you may need to contact your primary care provider to make an appointment for a telehealth video visit, schedule an appointment with a local pharmacy or you could get a take-home test.
Johnson County COVID-19 vaccine tracker:60% of people fully vaccinated
How to get take-home tests
To get a take-home test, either sign up with Test Iowa or purchase a kitat a local Walgreens or CVS pharmacy.
In Iowa City, both Walgreens and CVS sell BinaxNOW antigen test kits by Abbottfor about $25. BinaxNOWis one of the many take-home test kits approved by the FDA.The BinaxNOW test kits come with two tests and can be self-administered by nasal swabs. They show results in 15 minutes.
To sign up with Test Iowa, visit testiowa.com to either choose to have a kit sent to you or to find a nearby location to pick one up in person. Within 25 miles of Iowa City, there are three locations where take-home test kits can be picked up, according to the website.
According to the Iowa Department of Public Health, once the State Hygienic Lab receives the test kits via UPS, results are sent via email within 24 hours. These tests use saliva as opposed to thenasal swabs needed for theBinaxNOW kits.
Jarvis said the tests being used in the Test Iowa program are saliva PCR tests and are comparable to other PCR tests.
Where to pick up take-home test kits:
- Johnson County Public Health Department:855 S. Dubuque St. #217, Iowa City
- SHL Coralville: 2490 Crosspark Road, Coralville
- Cedar County Public Health: 400 Cedar St.,Tipton
Testing at local hospitals
For testing at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, log on to MyChart and select "Schedule an Appointment." You will fill out a questionnaire and then choose an availabletime for your appointment. Click here for more information about testing at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.
At Mercy Iowa City hospital, you may call your primary health-care provider to coordinate testing. If you have symptoms, call the Mercy Same Day Acute Care Clinic, 319-688-7444. If you don't have symptoms and you need a test for travel, you can call the COVID-19 Laboratory Line at 319-688-7514. Click here for more information about testing at Mercy.
'We are seeing an increase in our community transmission':Johnson County recommends masks indoors
Testing for University of Iowa students
The University of Iowa is recommending that students who are showing symptoms or who had close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 call319-335-8394 to talk to a provider about getting a test.
For students who do not have symptoms but need a test for home visits, traveling or clinical rotations, the university is recommending take-home test kits. Students that don't have symptoms can call319-335-9704 to arrange for a take-home test kit. The tests are processed by the State Hygienic Lab and the Iowa Department of Public Health.
Students can click here for more information on testing.
Hillary Ojeda covers breaking news and public safety for the Press-Citizen. Reach her at319-339-7345, hojeda@press-citizen.comor follow her on Twitter at@hillarymojeda.
