As demand for COVID-19 testing has increased in recent weeks, Clark County and community partners are advising the public that testing volume at public sites may hit its peak on any given day and are offering some suggestions to obtain tests.
Since May, Clark County and partnering organizations have conducted almost 375,000 tests as part of its community testing efforts. Testing is offered for free to anyone, with or without symptoms, including children and families. The public can visit the testing site calendar on the Southern Nevada Health District’s website at www.SNHD.info/covid for a listing of public testing sites and upcoming strike team event dates and locations. The state of Nevada also has a COVID-19 test finding locator tool on its website at https://nvhealthresponse.nv.gov/ that lists private labs, pharmacies and other testing resources for fees.
The drive-thru testing site at Texas Station currently has a capacity to offer 2,000 tests per day. The site, located in the parking garage on the south side of the property off Rancho Drive at 2101 Texas Star Lane, operates Thursday through Monday, and does not offer appointments. The site is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Tests are offered on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 8 a.m. The site is open as late as 4 p.m. if tests are available but may close sooner in the day if the daily allotment of tests has been reached. Those arriving for testing should bring photo identification and wear face coverings until they are instructed to remove their masks for testing. Names, birth dates and a contact number are required as part of the registration process. Results from the Texas site are accessed when they become available through a portal on the Southern Nevada Health District’s website at https://www.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/lab-results/. Results are typically processed in 24 to 48 hours but may take longer due to high volumes of testing.
Appointments at the UNLV Stan Fulton Building and Cashman Center sites are highly recommended to reduce wait times and maintain operational efficiency. Appointments at either site can be self-scheduled through UMC’s website at www.umcsn.com. Those with no online access or limited access may call UMC at (702) 383-2619 to schedule appointments. Both sites accept some walk-ins each day on a first-come, first-served basis as staffing allows, but priority is given to those with appointments. Community members are encouraged to check UMC’s website regularly, as the hospital makes new appointments available on a daily basis. UMC also is asking community members to help prioritize testing appointments for those with symptoms or those who have been exposed to confirmed positive patients.
The Cashman Center site, located in Exhibit Hall A, 850 N. Las Vegas Boulevard on the north side of the facility off Washington Avenue, operates 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, and is closed Sundays and Mondays. UNLV’s Stan Fulton Building is located at 801 E. Flamingo Road on the southeast corner of University Center Drive and East Flamingo Road. Parking at UNLV site is available by an access road located to the east of the building on Flamingo Road. An indoor testing area for those with no symptoms is located in the ballroom on the first floor of the Stan Fulton Building. Those arriving at the site who are symptomatic will be diverted to a testing area in the courtyard outside the entrance of the building.
Face coverings, temperature checks and social distancing are required at check-in at both sites.
The Health District follows up with those who test positive for the virus as part of its disease investigation efforts. Members of the public are urged to do their part to help slow the spread of COVID-19 by “answering the call” when they receive a telephone call from a public health representative or an automated notification through text or email. Agency notifications typically provide recipients with information about self-isolation and ask them to provide information about their health and to identify close contacts who may need to be advised to get a COVID-19 test. In addition, to help limit community spread of the virus, smart phone users are encouraged to download the free Nevada COVID Trace App at https://nvhealthresponse.nv.gov/covidtrace.
Health officials recommend a COVID-19 test for people if you have symptoms of COVID-19 including fever, cough, or shortness of breath; you have been in close contact with someone who has a confirmed or possible case of COVID-19; you were in a setting where you were exposed to a large crowd and people were not wearing face coverings or maintaining social distancing; you are planning to visit someone at high risk for COIVD-19 illness, including people 65 years of age and older or people with serious medical conditions.
Health officials also urge people to get flu shots this fall to protect health and reduce potential impacts to the local medical system. Those who are at higher risk of complications from the flu also are at higher risk of complications from COVID-19. Risk factors include people with underlying medical conditions such as heart disease, lung disease and diabetes. Health official recommend the following actions for everyone to reduce community spread of all viruses:
● Stay home from work, school and public places when you are sick.
● Wear face coverings in public and among people who don’t live in the same household. Face coverings should have two layers or more that cover your nose, chin, and fit snugly against the side of your face.
● Avoid touching your eyes, nose, mouth, and mask.
● Clean and disinfect frequently touched items such as your cell phone, doorknobs and counter tops.
● Maintain at least 6 feet social distancing per person from non-household members.
● Over the holidays, health officials urge people to limit gatherings to fewer than 10 people. Ensure all guests wear masks. It is safest to keep company with family members living in the same household.
● Consult these resources for help dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic:
• Nevada 2-1-1 – Provides resource referrals to those in need of social service support.
• Southern Nevada Health District INFO Phone Line – (702) 759-INFO (4636), 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, for general questions about COVID-19.
• Southern Nevada Community Health Center – Offers a free telehealth service for uninsured patients at (702) 759-1700 or online athttps://tinyurl.com/yxgx6gke.
• Esta En Tus Manos – Spanish language COVID-19 outreach initiative: www.estaentusmanos.com.
• State of Nevada Health Response Website – https://nvhealthresponse.nv.gov/.
