Test Iowa closing Friday; Great River Health continues testing

The state of Iowa is ending its free COVID-19 drive-thru testing program Friday. This includes the Test Iowa clinic at the Des Moines County Fairgrounds in West Burlington. The site has been performing only about 15 tests a day, compared to 800 per day last November.

Free self-administered tests will be available through the Test Iowa program beginning Friday. Iowans may pick up a test kit at Des Moines County Public Health Department or Lee County Public Health Department, collect a saliva sample at home, return the sample by UPS and receive results through email. More information is available through the respective health departments.

Great River Health will continue offering nasal swab COVID-19 testing beginning Monday, July 19. Unlike the government-funded Test Iowa program, there will be a fee. Insurance may cover the cost.

Burlington

COVID-19 testing is available at QuickCare, 624 S. Roosevelt Ave., Suite 101.

West Burlington

Patients who have primary care providers at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center clinics in West Burlington should call their clinic to make an appointment.

Henry County

Henry County Health Center clinics in Mount Pleasant, New London, Wayland and Winfield offer COVID-19 tests to patients, who must see a health care provider before receiving a test.

To schedule an appointment, call 319-385-6540.

Testing also is available without a health care provider’s order in Henry County Health Center’s Laboratory. To make an appointment, call 319-385-6540. Payment is required at the time of the test. Because tests are performed without an order, they are not covered by government programs like Medicare and Medicaid, and private insurers.

Airline travel

There are several types of COVID-19 tests. Airlines require results from specific types of tests for travel. Great River Health offers airline-approved testing. People who need to be tested for airline travel in West Burlington or Fort Madison should contact their primary care provider to be scheduled for the test. COVID-19 tests for travel may not be covered by insurance.

Henry County Health Center’s Laboratory test is airline-approved. To make an appointment, call 319-385-6540. Payment is required at the time of the test