The first supply of COVID-19 self-test kits offered at no cost to patients and community members of Pershing County are now available to the public.
The rapid antigen selfcollection kits, the Quidel QuickVue At-Home OTC COVID-19 Test www.quickvueathome.com are being supplied to Pershing Physicians Center through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
The Pershing Physicians Center has a supply of kits which may be picked up during regular business hours. Masks are required to enter our facilities.
Each FDA-authorized kit for age 2 to adult contains two tests for self-collection via nasal swabs.
Adult collection is recommended for children 2 through 13. It is important to keep in mind that antigen tests are not as sensitive to the Omicron variant and false negatives may occur.
Individuals can self-administer anywhere, with results available within 10 minutes.
The tests can be used if a person is symptomatic, asymptomatic, or within 6 days of symptom onset.
Anyone receiving a positive result should contact their medical provider for follow up. Please read and follow the detailed instructions included in the Quidel QuickVue At-Home Test Kit.
According to the Pershing Physicians Center Manager Laurie Schmith, no registration is required and individuals do not have to be a Rural Health Clinic patient to receive a kit.
Test kits will be available at the Pershing Physicians Center Reception desk as well as the hospital’s Admissions desk with a limit of two per person, per week during this initial rollout. Schmith added that PGH Physicians Center allotments will vary based on the number we give out each week.
If more than two are needed, individuals can return once supplies have been replenished.
The goals of this program are for all those at risk to have access to self-testing supplies and to support greater COVID-19 mitigation efforts.
Offering free kits for use in the privacy of an individual’s home will eliminate barriers to timely testing and ultimately keep our community safer.
Pershing General Hospital/Physicians Center will not be administering or interpreting the results.
For more information regarding Pershing Physicians Center services call 775-273-2621 x1.
