Sedgwick County is now testing all residents for the COVID-19 virus, whether they have symptoms or not.
County manager Tom Stolz says residents can call 211 to schedule an appointment, and if possible it will be scheduled that day or the next day. There is no cost for the testing.
People with at least two symptoms should still be tested, and Stolz said people with symptoms will get preference in scheduling. Testing will be done at the main clinic at 2716 West Central.
The health department will take a nasal swab and send it to a lab for testing, and results are expected in three to four days. The testing will show if a person has a current infection.
Health officials say if you don’t have symptoms, you should consider testing if you have been in contact with sick people or if your work involves a lot of contact with the public. People who do not have symptoms do not need to be tested unless there is an exposure. Social distancing, hand washing and wearing a mask will help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
People should be tested weekly if they work in the health care industry, if they are first responders, law enforcement officers, detention facility workers, or if they work in residential living facilities.
The county has tested over 15,807 people since March.
