Update: COVID-19 Expanded Drive-through Hours, Pilot Saliva Testing, New Mobile Locations

(Sedgwick County, Kan.) - The Sedgwick County Health Department (SCHD) announces expanded hours at the no-cost Drive-through Sampling Site (DTSS) starting September 14. SCHD will begin piloting no-cost saliva specimen testing the afternoon of September 16. Appointments are required. Dial 2-1-1 United Way of the Plains to make an appointment.

Drive-through Sampling Site

Starting September 14, Sedgwick County residents with appointments can obtain no-cost COVID-19 testing at the following times:

o   Monday, Wednesday, Friday – 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 4:45 p.m.

o   Tuesday and Thursday – 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 6:45 p.m.

During the week of September 14, nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs will be collected for testing on all days except from 1 to 4:45 p.m. on Wednesday, September 16 when the SCHD will pilot saliva testing at the DTSS.

SCHD will implement more saliva testing at the DTSS during the week of September 21.

 New Mobile Outreach Testing Opportunities

 SCHD’s Mobile Outreach Response (MOR) Team will provide walk-in/bike-in testing opportunities from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the following dates and locations:

• Monday, September 14, at the Islamic Society of Wichita, 6655 E. 34th N., Wichita, KS 67226. The MOR Team will operate from 9 a.m. to noon on this day.
• Thursday, September 17, at Christ Lutheran Church, 5356 N. Hillside, Wichita, KS 67219

  No appointment is necessary for the mobile outreach sites.

The results of the virus test using NP swabs or saliva show whether a person has current infection. This is not antigen or antibody test.

SCHD tests residents who have symptoms or who are contacts of known COVID-19 positive people. In addition, people without symptoms can be tested if they are first responders, healthcare workers (including home health and long-term care), law enforcement, detention facility workers, Direct Support Professionals, staff working with students in-person in classrooms, school bus drivers, or if they work in public works departments or residential group living facilities.

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus, and the most common COVID-19 symptoms include:

• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fever
• Chills or shivering
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• Sore throat
• New loss of taste or smell
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue or feeling more tired than normal

Remember the three W’s to prevent the spread of COVID-19:

• Wash your hands with soap and water often
• Wear a mask or face covering
• Watch your distance – keep six feet of space between you and others who are not in your household

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