Frontline workers can get free coronavirus tests
A party rafts down the Middle Fork last week. Montana Raft Co. has gone to rafts with the guide in the center of the boat to socially distance parties on trips.
The Flathead Community Health Center has started free coronavirus testing for folks who work in high-risk jobs but are asymptomatic.
Asymptomatic people have no symptoms of the disease, but could still be carrying it. High risk people are typically employees who come in contact with a lot of different people over the course of the day, like store clerks, bartenders and guides, to name a few.
“It’s for the frontline workers who haven’t been addressed yet,” said health center director Mary Sterhan.
Since the state has reopened to tourists, the number of cases statewide has increased.
Flathead County health officials said last week that there is evidence of community transmission here, though the number of cases compared to other counties is still low.
Sterhan said the test is self-administered. A person is given a kit and swabs their nose on their own. The test results are available back in about a week. There is no registration or other requirements.
“You just have to show up,” Sterhan said.
There is one important note — you should not have symptoms — people with symptoms should go to a regular health clinic, where they can get tested and get results much faster.
For example, in West Glacier, a clinic right in town run by North Valley Hospital, does testing for those with symptoms.
The clinic is set up two days a week in Whitefish, two days a week in West Glacier and Sterhan said they’re working out details with the city to bring testing to Columbia Falls for one day a week as well.
For more information on exact times and dates, visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/FlatheadCHC/