June 18, 2020 – The number of Dickinson County residents infected with COVID-19 has increased dramatically in the past month. As people from out of town visit the area, increased community spread in the Iowa Great Lakes is likely to continue. For this reason, the Office of Governor Kim Reynolds, Lakes Regional Healthcare, and Dickinson County Emergency Management have worked together to open a drive-through Test Iowa clinic in Spirit Lake.
The clinic will open at noon on Monday, June 22 and then be open from 7:00 am until 5:00 pm every weekday beginning Tuesday, June 23. Any Iowa resident will be able to receive a COVID-19 test for free, regardless of symptoms or potential exposure to the virus. Those with COVID-19 symptoms (cough, shortness of breath, fever, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell, headache, muscle aches) are encouraged to call Lakes Regional Healthcare’s Respiratory Clinic at 712-336-6696 for guidance on whether it is best to receive a test at the Respiratory Clinic at Lakes Regional Healthcare or the Test Iowa clinic.
In order to get a COVID-19 test through the Test Iowa clinic:
- Complete the online assessment at testiowa.com. At the end of the assessment, you will be asked if you would like a test or not. After saying you want one, check the box that says “Select other test options” and then select “I’d like to be tested at a local clinic.” You’ll see Dickinson County Public Health; select that option.
- After completing the online assessment, you will receive an email from TestIowa.com that includes a Unique ID and/or QR Code. Print the Unique ID and QR code.
- Go to the drive-through Test Iowa clinic in Spirit Lake, located on the Dickinson County Fairgrounds just east of the Expo Building. Enter the fairgrounds off Peoria Avenue. No appointment is needed. Please wear a mask and bring your Unique ID, QR code and personal identification, such as a driver’s license, with you. Please be aware that healthcare staff will be dressed in appropriate personal protective equipment including a gown, gloves, mask, and face shield. This is for your protection as well as their own.
Test results will be emailed to you within 48 to 72 hours. You can also go to Test Iowa’s Patient Portal, and enter your personal identifier/bar code number to check your results. If your test results are positive, further instruction will be provided to self-quarantine and seek medical attention.
Those with questions are encouraged to visit www.lakeshealth.org and follow Lakes Regional Healthcare on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.