Free weekly COVID-19 community testing available for Parachute, Rifle, and New Castle
Mobile vans will remain as long as there is demand for services
PRESS RELEASE
Jan. 8, 2021
Garfield County, CO – Western Garfield free COVID testing is now available through a Curative mobile van location that will be available each week in Parachute, Rifle and New Castle, as long as there is community demand. Testing is at no cost, and does not require a doctor’s note, identification, or insurance.
“Testing began in January 2021 and will run in each location through March as long as participation numbers are there,” said Christine Singleton, curative testing coordinator with Garfield County Public Health. “We didn’t have much advance notice to get the word out that the van was coming back, but now it will be a weekly offering in these communities.”
The testing offered in early December had 88 participants in Parachute, 125 in Rifle, and 185 in New Castle. Testing the first week in January had 8 in Parachute, 33 in Rifle and 62 in New Castle.
“COVID numbers are still high, so I think that the lack of participation was more of an issue of people not knowing about the site being available. We know that it can be really difficult for some of our Parachute and Battlement Mesa residents to travel to other towns for services. We hope that people learn about the testing sites and use them as needed as it is a use it or loose it situation,” said Singleton.
While walk-ins are welcome, online pre-registration is highly encouraged. Register here:
Elk Creek Elementary School- Mobile Van
Sundays 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., January – March
804 W Main St., New Castle, 81647
Bea Underwood Elementary School- Mobile Van
Mondays 9 a.m. – 11 a.m., January – March
0741 Tamarisk Trail, Parachute, 81635
Garfield County Fairgrounds- Mobile Van
Mondays 12:30 – 4:30 p.m., January – March
1001 Railroad Ave., Rifle, 81650
Curative offers an oral-fluid swab testing — an alternative method to nasopharyngeal or brain swabs in testing for COVID-19 with the highest possible clinical sensitivity. It is an observed and directed, self-collected test, which minimizes the in-person contact and risk of transmission for all site visitors and testing professionals. Results are returned to patients within 48 hours upon receipt at the lab.
Anyone who has symptoms should get tested immediately and isolate for at least 10 days from onset until they are fever-free for 24 hours (without the help of medication), and their symptoms are improving. Anyone who has been exposed to someone with COVID-19 should get tested 5 to 7 days after exposure and quarantine.
Garfield County Public Health has a list of testing sites on the COVID-19 testing page. 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 okay to meet in large gatherings or bypass other public health orders, like wearing masks. All Coloradans need to mask up, physically distance, interact only with members of their own households, wash hands and stay home while sick.
How can I stay up to date on Garfield County COVID testing, vaccine information and data?
Garfield County Public Health is posting frequent updates in the news media, on Facebook @garfieldhealth, and on our website on the COVID & Public Health page. To navigate to the COVID & Public Health page from the main Garfield County site, click the red COVID & Public Health rectangle at the top of the page. Sign up to be notified about Garfield County COVID news at garfieldcounty.net.