Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) continues to provide FREE COVID-19 drive-through testing at two locations in Grand Junction. The testing site at the Mesa County Fairgrounds, located at 2785 US Highway 50, has changed traffic flow and added another area for sampling, which has significantly reduced wait times. The testing site at Colorado Mesa University is also available to community members, with pre-registration required.
New at the fairgrounds site is the addition of a test performed with an oral swab. Results from this test are processed through partner lab Curative. “We want to remove all possible barriers to testing,” said Allison Sanchez, MCPH Clinic Manager. Though the nasal swab is done with minimal discomfort, individuals who were hesitant about being tested due to the process may now be able to take advantage of the oral swab. “The addition of this test allows us to be more efficient in our testing. We’re also able to prioritize those who have symptoms to help slow the spread of illness,” Sanchez added.
Turnaround time for the oral swab is the same as the nasal swab, which continues to be processed through Mako medical. Both labs make results available to patients through online portals within 2-4 days of sample collection
Holiday hours for Community Sampling Sites in Mesa County:
MESA COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS
- Thursday, November 26: Closed
- Friday, November 27, and Saturday, November 28: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Regular hours resume December 1: Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
COLORADO MESA UNIVERSITY: Pre-registration is required, information can be found here.
- Thursday and Friday (November 26, 27): Closed
- Saturday, November 28: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m
- Regular hours resume November 30: Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Wait times for sample collection at each site vary, but on average are less than 30 minutes. You do not have to have an appointment at the Fairgrounds site, but pre-registering for your test on the MCPH website can save time upon arrival. There are no identification, insurance, or doctor’s note requirements at either community sampling location.
Anyone who gets tested because of symptoms or because of a possible exposure should be in isolation/quarantine while waiting for the test result.
All individuals who believe they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should quarantine and limit their exposure to others for a full 14 days, even if they get tested and receive a negative result because the virus can take up to 14 days to be detectable.