HCMH announces closing of drive-thru testing site
HCMH sponsored several vaccine clinics last winter and was one of the few rural communities who sponsored a symptomatic drive-thru testing site this fall. While the drive-thru service will be ending, COVID-19 symptomatic patients can be tested at the UnityPoint Clinic or HCMH Walk-In Clinic on Friday late afternoons and weekends.
On Sept. 20, Humboldt County Memorial Hospital (HCMH) opened a drive-thru symptomatic COVID-19 testing site to meet the demands of patients and provide a rapid test result for COVID-19.
“This proved to be a great resource once again, and helped us isolate those individuals much faster to help reduce/prevent the spread of COVID-19. Today, less patients are needing to be seen for symptoms of COVID-19, and so we are making the decision to close this drive-thru testing site effective at 11 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 18, until further notice,” HCMH Chief Executive Officer Michelle Sleiter said.
“We have been working with our providers at the UnityPoint Clinic and HCMH Walk-In Clinic to ensure we have the access available should symptomatic patients need to be tested for COVID-19. Appointments continue to be available with primary care providers at UnityPoint Clinic Humboldt Monday-Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m., and at the HCMH Walk-In Clinic on Fridays from 3–7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
“As of today, our supply of rapid COVID-19 testing kits continue to be available and will be used at each of these locations,” Sleiter said.
The HCMH Laboratory will continue to offer Asymptomatic COVID-19 Testing Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.–5 p.m. No appointment is required. Patients will need to enter in HCMH’s main entrance, stop at the HCMH registration desk to be registered and screened for COVID-19, including temperature, prior to testing. All patients will be required to wear a mask and practice social distancing.
People needing to be tested to travel are asked to call (515) 332-4200 before arriving. Different countries are requiring different COVID-19 tests and HCMH wants to ensure people are receiving the appropriate type of test.
Please visit www.humboldthospital.org for details or call (515) 332-4200 with questions.
Current COVID stats
Between June 14 and Oct. 11, 2021, Humboldt County has seen 424 new cases of COVID-19 and 81 percent (342) were unvaccinated.
In the last 10 days, Humboldt County has had 52 new positive cases and 85 percent (44) were unvaccinated.
In total, Humboldt County has had 1,621 positive COVID-19 cases since the pandemic’s beginning in the spring of 2020.
As of Monday, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) continues to show Humboldt County in the HIGH community transmission level, with a 12 percent positivity rate.
A total of 52 percent of the eligible population (12 years of age and older) in Humboldt County is fully vaccinated.
People should continue to take necessary precautions in public to reduce the chances of contracting the virus.
