TriCounty Health Department announced Wednesday morning that free COVID-19 drive-through testing will be available starting Thursday, April 16th. The following is from the announcement: TriCounty Health Department (TCHD) is partnering with testutah.com and our local hospitals to expand the capacity for COVID-19 testing in the Uintah Basin. Individuals who qualify will be tested for free in a drive-through setting at TriCounty Health Department, 133 S 500 E, Vernal, starting Thursday, April 16th, and Friday, April 17th, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m and continuing next week, Monday, April 20th, through Friday, April 24, 2020, check tricountyhealth.com COVID-19 daily updates for times. Any interested individuals regardless of symptoms can find out if they qualify for COVID-19 testing by filling out an online questionnaire at testutah.com. Those that qualify for testing will be issued a unique QR code that they will bring to the drive-through testing site at a pre-appointed time. Samples for testing will be collected while individuals remain in their vehicles. Samples will then be sent off for laboratory testing. Individuals receiving testing will be contacted by email within 48-72 hours regarding results. TCHD is asking the public to help others that may need assistance filling out this questionnaire. “If someone you know does not have access to the internet or may have a difficult time filling out an online questionnaire we ask those who can assist, to please offer such assistance,” said Jordan Mathis, TriCounty Health Health Officer. “We want everyone who qualifies for the test to be able to have access to it.” It is important that anyone who comes to the drive-through testing site to fill out this information, so TCHD staff can prevent further spread of COVID-19. Testing will not be conducted on individuals without a QR code from testutah.com and identification. TriCounty Health Department and Uintah Basin Healthcare are currently working to launch a Roosevelt location. Information on the Roosevelt location will be available on tricountyhealth.com Local COVID-19 Situational Update. For more information on qualifying for testing go to the frequently asked questions page at testutah.com. Tribal members will receive a free COVID-19 test through Indian Health Services.
