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Free At-Home COVID-19 Testing Starts July 16

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An additional way to get a COVID-19 test will be available beginning Friday, July 16. Dickinson County Public Health (DCPH) will provide free COVID-19 test kits for people to do themselves at home. Through Test Iowa at-home, a partnership between the Iowa Department of Public Health and the State Hygienic Lab (SHL), area residents will be able to receive a free test kit, collect a saliva sample at home, return the sample by UPS using a provided prepaid shipping label, and receive results through email.

Test kits can be picked up by calling DCPH at 712-339-6050 on weekdays from 8 am until 4:30 pm. Those picking up a test are to arrive at Door E of Lakes Regional Healthcare and a DCPH staff member will take the PCR test kit to their car. Each test kit includes step-by-step instructions including how to activate the test kit, collect the test sample, return the sample to the SHL, and when to expect results. Individuals have the option to request a kit to be sent to their home, and to have UPS pick up their sample. This can be done by going to www.testiowa.com or calling 833-286-8378. Results will be sent via email about 24 hours from when the sample is received by the SHL.

COVID-19 tests are also still available through your healthcare provider at Lakes Regional Family Medicine by calling 712-336-3750. Tests done at this location are done with a nasal swab. Both testing methods are equally reliable.

The best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 is to get vaccinated. DCPH and other locations in Dickinson County provide the vaccine. Those interested in finding a location to get the COVID-19 vaccine are encouraged to visit https://vaccinate.iowa.gov/providers/ or to call DCPH at 712-339-6050.

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