CLARK COUNTY – Identifying a COVID infection as early as possible following onset of symptoms or learning of potential exposure is critical to reducing the risk of severe illness or hospitalization from the virus, and an adequate supply of at-home test kits can be the first steps towards identifying and successfully treating an exposure to COVID.
To help ensure Clark County families can keep and maintain enough at-home COVID tests, the Clark County Combined Health District will give away free rapid antigen tests during a “Testgiving” drive-thru event from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, Nov. 18, at 529 E. Home Road.
Confirming a COVID infection early and following isolation recommendations can also help reduce community spread of the virus. Participants will receive a supply of COVID tests for themselves and everyone in their household.
Individuals can help limit the spread of COVID-19 by taking an at-home test as soon as they feel sick. At-home tests provide results in minutes compared to the days that a lab test can take, which can help keep people at work and kids in school.
CCCHD distributed over 350 COVID tests during a similar drive-thru event last August. “We’re hoping to equip our local families with 2,000 tests or more so they can help keep themselves and their loved ones healthy,” said Stephanie Johnson, who is coordinating the event for CCCHD.
If a person tests positive for COVID and is at higher risk for severe illness due to age or medical conditions, treatments are available that can minimize symptoms and reduce chances of serious illness or hospitalization. However, those treatments must be started as soon as possible upon infection, which makes early detection of a COVID illness extremely important. Higher risk individuals for severe illness or hospitalization due to a COVID infection should consider wearing a face mask while indoors or on public transportation.
Public health also recommends that any positive tests be self-reported by filling out a brief online questionnaire. Self-reporting positive at-home COVID tests allows for a more accurate measure of community transmission.
Positivity rate of COVID tests performed is currently 6 percent. There are an average of 99 cases of COVID infection and 7.5 hospitalizations for every 100,000 residents, according to the CDC. More information on community transmission of COVID in Clark County can be found here.