Got coronavirus symptoms in Johnson County? You can now sign up for a free test
As Johnson County lifts more coronavirus restrictions, it is expanding testing for residents with symptoms of the disease.
Beginning Monday, they can make an online appointment to get a free test with the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment. But testing supplies and appointment times remain limited.
Sanmi Areola, public health director, has warned that Johnson County needs to increase testing as more businesses and workplaces are allowed to open. He said the county has ramped up its program to test about 1,500 residents each week.
“Finding out who has COVID-19 in the community is important to containing the virus and reducing the spread. If we know who is ill, we can isolate that person and stop transmission of the virus,” he said.
Areola encourages residents experiencing symptoms of coronavirus, such as fever, dry cough and shortness of breath, to get tested immediately.
The health department will offer drive-thru testing at its office in Olathe on Mondays and Wednesdays, as well as walk-in testing at its Mission office on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Residents must have an appointment, scheduled through jocogov.org/coronavirus.
To fully understand how the virus is spreading in the county of 600,000 residents, Areola said there would need to be more than 900 tests performed each day on residents with and without symptoms. But for now, the county is gradually improving its testing program as it secures testing kits.
“I remain cautiously optimistic that supplies are good,” Areola said Thursday.
The county continues to expand testing in long-term care facilities — some of which have reported major outbreaks — and among other vulnerable populations. Areola said officials recently tested residents staying at the Salvation Army homeless shelter, in addition to many Spanish-speaking members of a church in Shawnee.
As of Thursday afternoon, Johnson County had reported 619 cases and 54 deaths. Out of 10,892 tests, about 5.7% have been positive.
