March 12, 2020 02:03 PM UTC

COVID-19 Testing Facility Closed for Today

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• by: Colorado Pols

Via press release from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment:

Due to an extremely high volume of people seeking COVID-19 tests at the drive-up testing site in Lowry, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is working to establish and communicate a cut-off point for the line. CDPHE is currently determining, based on resources and staff capacity, which vehicle will be the last vehicle whose occupants can be served today. Those who are already in line behind that cut off-point will receive a note that allows them priority for testing in line tomorrow.

Colorado now has capacity for private labs to complete testing. In order to minimize wait times,anyone who is symptomatic or who believes they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should call or email your physician first for guidance, a doctor’s order for testing, and information about private providers where you can get tested. Always call first before reporting to a healthcare facility for testing.

We will have an update on statewide testing later this afternoon.

As of 11 a.m., there was an approximate 3-hour wait in the drive-thru car line. No more vehicles will be accommodated in the line at this time. If you are ill or suspect that you were exposed, please stay home, self-isolate, and contact your physician.

The mobile testing center in Lowry opened yesterday and serviced 160 people. People waited on average about 84 minutes. Once they got to the testing point, the collection took about 10 minutes.

CDPHE plans to keep the lab open tomorrow and open again Monday. We may keep it open through the weekend depending on supplies and demand.

While waiting for their test results, individuals should stay at home. Those who receive positive test results may be issued isolation orders. Depending on test volume, we aim to contact individuals directly with their results within 72 hours.