Gunnison Valley Health Now Provides Community Testing for People Without COVID-19 Symptoms

Community members without COVID-19 symptoms can now request a test at Gunnison Valley Health.

Gunnison Valley Health’s Chief Nursing Officer Andrew Bertapelle said this testing option is for those people who may need a test for travel purposes, visiting loved ones in other states or other situations that require evidence that a COVID-19 test was taken with a negative result.

“Many facilities, airlines and countries are now requiring evidence of a negative COVID-19 test,” Bertapelle said. “We are pleased to now offer our community a testing solution for those that need or want a test and do not present with any COVID-19 symptoms,” he said.

Gunnison Valley Health’s COVID-19 test for asymptomatic people, or those who do not have symptoms, is a self-swab test that is ordered online 2 business days prior to collecting the test. The fee for the test is $150 which covers the cost of the test kit and processing of the specimen through the Mayo Clinic.

“This test is not a rapid test,” Bertapelle added. “We expect patients to receive their results within 48 to 96 hours in Gunnison Valley Health’s patient portal,” he said.

To request the test, community members are required to:

• Order the test kit online by clicking HERE and allow 2 business days for processing.
• Collect the test kit from Gunnison Valley Health’s Main Entrance Monday to Friday between the hours of 7.30am and 12pm (noon). This ensures courier deadlines are met.
• Be prepared to take the test and return it immediately to reception the same day the test is collected.

Bertapelle added as more tests begin to flood the market, he does foresee more economical and quicker options will soon be available.

“Working with Public Health, we are constantly looking at more affordable testing options that are FDA approved,” he said. “We would have liked to offer rapid tests now for the community testing, but due to test availability throughout the country, we cannot secure enough rapid tests to make this a sustainable option.”

“The hardest part is predicting the future, but at the end of the day, ensuring Gunnison Valley Health is well prepared and our community is safe are our top priorities.”

For more information on testing solutions for people without COVID-19 symptoms, click HERE. If you do have COVID-19 symptoms, please contact Gunnison County’s hotline at (970) 641-7660.