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Drive-thru testing to be held every Wednesday and Saturday in May

Routt County unveiled a new COVID-19 testing plan during a Board of Health meeting on Wednesday as officials see a reduction in cases. Though this comes as good news following a weekslong rise, the public should remain vigilant about following health guidelines to prevent future surges of the virus.
File photo/John F. Russell

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — Through the month of May, the Routt County Department of Public Health will be offering drive-thru community testing every Wednesday and Saturday for any residents who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or for those who suspect they may have come in contact with the virus.

The tests are free of charge and no insurance is required, but an appointment is, which can be scheduled by calling 970-870-5577.

The testing location will be announced on Tuesday, May 5.



The most common symptoms of COVID-19 include a cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat or loss of taste or smell.

The testing events, held from 9 a.m. to noon, are geared toward people who have experienced these symptoms within the past seven days.



Public health officials remind the community tests will only be administered for people who have made appointments ahead of time, and they ask that people do not show up early.

“Test, trace and isolate is our current health department motto,” said Routt County Public Health Director Kari Ladrow. 

In addition to testing contacts of individuals who have tested positive for the virus, Ladrow said frontline workers, health care professionals, grocery store workers, public transit drivers and construction workers are encouraged to schedule an appointment for testing as are members of the vulnerable population who have been in contact with individuals who have contracted the virus.

As of Monday, there have been 63 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Routt County. Of those, 51 are listed as recovered, and there have been five deaths. According to the county’s impact monitor, there have been six cases in the Oak Creek area, all of which are listed as recovered, and two cases in the Hayden area, one of which is listed as recovered.

There have been 1,242 tests administered to date in Routt County.

Expanding testing capacity locally and across the state is a key piece of reopening businesses and the economy.

As restrictions continue to loosen with office buildings allowed to reopen at 50% capacity Monday, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis repeated pleas for continued individual responsibility.

“For this to work, for us to move forward and not backwards, people need to take this deadly seriously,” Polis said during a press conference Monday.

To reach Kari Dequine Harden, call 970-871-4205, email kharden@SteamboatPilot.com or follow her on Twitter @kariharden.


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