HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The COVID-19 mobile test site opened up to a short, steady line of cars Thursday morning. The site was set up in the handicapped parking lot near Gate 5 at the Kansas State Fairgrounds.
The area was watched closely by the Kansas Highway Patrol and access was directed in and out of the parking lot by cones and signs. Those wanting a test showed up by appointment and were given a test kit. A person in full protective gear stood at a distance and provided instructions on how to self-administer the test, which involves taking a sample with a swab in your nasal cavity.
The person taking the test packaged the test and documents in a bag. Once finished, they drove a short distance away from the site and dropped the test in a basket. A second person in full protective gear then walked from the other side of the mobile unit, took the sample bag and disinfected it before walking around to the test side of the camper and placing it in a cooler. The entire process took anywhere from five to 10 minutes.
The tests will be available Thursday through Saturday for the next three weeks. The appointments are available from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. The tests are for anyone over the age of 18 who feel they may have symptoms of COVID-19 or anyone in the medical field, along with all first responders.
For more information or to make an appointment, go to doineedacovid19test.com.