Update on COVID-19 Testing in Wyandotte County

Published on January 18, 2022

Across the country, people are searching for available COVID-19 testing in the midst of the current COVID-19 surge. The Unified Government Public Health Department (UGPHD) is seeing this scenario throughout Wyandotte County, too. Workers at the UGPHD testing and vaccination facility at the former Kmart site at 7836 State Avenue say demand for testing and booster vaccinations is stronger than ever. Testing, vaccines, and boosters are especially important right now with such high COVID spread and variants like Omicron and Delta.

Here are some updates on COVID-19 testing in Wyandotte County:

• Free COVID testing is available at the UGPHD facility at 7836 State Avenue, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Like COVID-19 vaccinations, testing is free – no appointment or insurance is required.
• You can find additional COVID testing sites in Wyandotte County and throughout Kansas by visiting the KnowBeforeYouGoKS.com.
• Please be aware that, because of the extremely high volume of COVID testing that is going on, some area clinics and labs are experiencing delays on test results. The UGPHD has worked to provide some reduced testing turnaround times, but delays on test results are not uncommon.

When should I get tested?

You should get tested for COVID-19 if:

• You’re sick
• You’ve been exposed to COVID-19
• You will be traveling
• You are attending a large gathering or event

Remember: it is important to stay home while you wait for your test results, especially if you have any symptoms or you have been exposed to COVID-19.

Guidance on Home COVID Tests

Many people are curious about using “at home” COVID-19 tests. These can be purchased over the counter at stores such as CVS, Walgreens and Walmart, or they can be ordered online through Amazon.com. These at home tests are different than the PCR tests that are given by hospitals and public health testing sites. It’s very important to follow the directions on your at home test exactly as they are written. Here are some additional guidelines:

If you test positive for COVID with your at home test:

• This means you have COVID.
• If possible, get another test from a public health site or your health care provider to confirm your results.
• Stay at home for at least 5 days from when your COVID symptoms began (and please, stay home longer if you still don’t feel well or if you have had a fever within the past 24 hours). If you don’t have any symptoms, stay home 5 days from when you took your at home test and got the positive result.
• Notify people you were in close contact with while you had symptoms and during the two days before your symptoms started.
• Encourage these people to quarantine at home for at least 5 days if they are unvaccinated and then, to wear a mask for 5 days after that. If possible, they should get tested for COVID 5 days after they were exposed, whether they are vaccinated or unvaccinated.
• If you develop severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing, severe shortness of breath, chest pain, severe dizziness, confusion, inability to stay awake or slurred speech, seek emergency medical attention or call 9-1-1.

If you test negative for COVID on a home test and you DO have symptoms or were exposed to COVID:

• Home tests can sometimes miss a positive infection, because they are less reliable than a PCR test.
• Obtain a confirmatory PCR test and stay home until you can get this test and the results.

If you test negative for COVID on a home test and you DO NOT have symptoms and were not exposed:

• It’s unlikely that you are infected with COVID at this time.
• You can continue with your regular activities.
• If you develop symptoms later, re-test yourself.