As the state has increased their testing for COVID-19 through TestIowa, Guthrie County Public Health is ramping up its efforts as well.

Public Health Director Jotham Arber says they follow the state’s criteria for testing individuals, which he says has changed several times in the last few months. Arber explains that the COVID-19 test is no longer just for the most vulnerable populations and those who work in healthcare, “Individuals who are hospitalized, people who are in dormitory-style facilities, residential facilities, children who are receiving care in childcare homes, childcare centers with symptoms. And then now the newest one is the symptomatic and asymptomatic close contact. So if you’ve been in close contact with someone for more than 15 minutes within six feet, that allows us to run a PCR (polymerase chain reaction test).

Arber adds that the County now has access to a lot more tests so they will be implementing a new program to increase their efforts this summer, which he thinks will help businesses that have reopened. He says the department will be releasing information on that shortly, and they are working with nursing homes on a phased reopening approach to visitors as state restrictions have been lifted.