The Sedgwick County Health Department has tested more than 100,000 people for COVID-19, and health officials are looking to increase testing and make the process more efficient.
Health department director Adrienne Byrne told county commissioners this week that there are different processes with the two types of testing. The county has been offering nasal swab or saliva testing, and Byrne said the saliva test takes longer because of the registration process that is required. She said more people are choosing the nasal swab test because it takes less time. The saliva test can take around 15 minutes while the nasal swab can take five or ten.
The county is still testing people with symptoms, and appointments can be made by calling the 211 information line. Results are available within four or five days. The county is sending tests to a lab in Lenexa for analysis and there are plans for a lab at Wichita State University to begin operations soon.
Byrne said the health department is planning to send testing kits to nursing homes, schools, and other organizations, so they can administer the tests and send them to the health department for the results. She expects that to begin in about two weeks.
County commissioner David Dennis said testing is a top priority and mass testing is needed to keep businesses and schools open.
