FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 18, 2020
Southwest District Health announces expanded COVID-19 testing services available through the end of the year.
CALDWELL, IDAHO – Southwest District Health has expanded COVID-19 testing service availability through the end of the year for individuals who have been exposed to COVID-19 and/or are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. No cost COVID-19 drive-through testing services will be available Monday through Saturday at Southwest District Health’s Caldwell facility located at 13307 Miami Lane, Caldwell, Idaho, 83607. There will be no testing services available on December 25, 2020.
To schedule an appointment for drive-through COVID-19 testing at the Caldwell facility, please call (208) 296-1030.
In addition, Southwest District Health is partnering with Crush the Curve to improve testing accessibility to outlying counties by providing accessible, free COVID-19 testing for individuals who have been exposed to COVID-19 and/or are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. Funding provided by the State of Idaho make this partnership possible through the end of December 2020.
Testing Dates, Location, and Address Information:
Butte View Complex parking lot; 400 S. Pine Street, Emmett, Idaho
Dates: December 19-20, 2020 8am – 2pm
December 26-27, 2020 8am – 2pm
Costs
For individuals WITH insurance, the lab processing your test will bill your insurance provider. All co-pays are waived through the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. If for any reason your provider denies coverage, the State of Idaho will cover the cost of the test. Individuals will not receive a bill for services.
For individuals WITHOUT insurance, the federal Families First Coronavirus Act covers the cost of testing
completely.
How to make an appointment
Go to CrushTheCurveIdaho.com and take the assessment. The assessment will ask for insurance information. At the end of the online assessment, you will be given a case number. Please take that number with you to your appointment.
When to expect results
An email with test results will be sent 24 – 36 hours after your test arrives at the lab.
For more information, please contact Lori Sperry at Southwest District Health at (208) 371-3197.
Southwest District Health successfully distributes first round of
Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine received to medical clinic, hospital partners
CALDWELL, IDAHO – Southwest District Health staff successfully distributed the initial round of approximately 1,950 doses of Pfizer vaccine received. Vaccine distribution began at 7:00 a.m. this morning and involved coordination with major community partner medical clinics and hospitals from across the six-county region Southwest District Health serves.
Idaho’s vaccine rollout plans instruct local health districts to prioritize vaccine for local hospital staff and outpatient clinic staff who are providing care for COVID-19 patients. Hospital staff are essential for the care of COVID-19 patients and maintaining hospital capacity. After those facilities have been offered the vaccine, the remaining doses will be offered to additional groups following Idaho’s COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Committee’s (CVAC) recommendations. The medical clinic and hospital partners who received this first round of vaccine will be responsible for administering the vaccine to their eligible Tier 1 staff. “Providers who picked up the vaccine were so very excited to receive it and be part of vaccine administration in this historic roll out” said Molly Smith, Southwest District Health Training and Exercise Coordinator.
Additional vaccine is expected next week and distribution will involve similar coordination as staff reach out to the region’s providers to ensure accessibility to the vaccine. “I really commend SWDH staff who have worked so hard to go
the distance to identify smaller practices and ensure equitable distribution with future vaccine received,” said Clay Roscoe, MD, Southwest District Health Medical Director.
Independent practices that fit within the Phase 1 priority group interested in assistance with the COVID-19 vaccination are invited to reach out to SWDH staff by calling Molly Smith at (208) 455-5372 or TJ Wilson at (208) 455-5326.
Members of the general public seeking COVID-19 vaccinations can watch for updates from Southwest District Health for information about when and where vaccines will be available. It is important to note that there are no governmental entities in Idaho requiring anyone to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. While public health supports the COVID-19 vaccine, individuals can choose whether or not to pursue the vaccine as a protection measure.
