April 22, 2020

Anderson County Hospital expands COVID-19 Drive-Thru Testing to first responders

GARNETT, Ks. (April 21, 2020) – Anderson County Hospital in Garnett is pleased to announce that they are expanding drive-through testing of COVID-19 to all first responders who meet testing criteria within Anderson County. First responders include police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs, all of whom are at high risk of exposure to COVID-19 as they carry out the regular duties of their jobs. First responders who exhibit symptoms will work with their HR departments to obtain a testing order. They will not need a physician order.

Saint Luke’s Regional Lab is currently processing the majority of COVID-19 tests in regular runs throughout the day. This allows for much faster testing results, some as soon as within 24 hours.

To be tested, first responders must have any new symptom, including but not limited to:

• Fever of 100 degrees or higher
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Loss of smell or taste
• Diarrhea
• Sore throat
• Body aches

First responders who are experiencing new symptoms should work directly with their human resources departments to obtain a referral for a drive-thru test at the location set up in the Family Care Center north parking lot at 536 W. 4^th Ave in Garnett. A referral form, badge, and personal identification will be required at the testing site.

Public safety departments interested in learning more about coordinating testing through Anderson County Hospital, please contact Sara Roberts at sararoberts@saintlukeskc.org or 785-204-4021.