Pop-up testing offered near COVID ‘hot spots’
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
To accommodate an increase in demand for testing Tribal Health is offering pop-up testing near COVID "hot spots.” A mobile unit and a team of nurses is deployed to test at these locations. Most recently pop-up testing has been done in Arlee and Polson at the Linderman gym with great success. Any community member can test at these events. Testing is also done M-F at the SKC location for Tribal Health eligible patients.
Though Tribal Health hasn’t seen an increase in demand for initial COVID vaccinations, many people are anxiously waiting for their booster. According to CSKT Community Health Division Director Chelsea Kleinmeyer, “We are focusing on 65 and older and 50-64 with underlying medical conditions. We will also offer to frontline healthcare workers and teachers who reside on the reservation. We will continue to vaccinate tribal and non-tribal residents.” Booster shots are now available for the above-mentioned individuals at the Arlee Community Center and the KwaTaqNuk by appointment or walk-in. To streamline the process and avoid wait times, appointments are preferred. Appointments can be scheduled at MTreadyclinic.org or by calling Tribal Health at 745-3525.
Someone should get a test if they are exhibiting any of the COVID symptoms. Data is showing symptoms with Delta are the same as other strains of the novel coronavirus: fever and chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea. If a person has been exposed, Tribal Health recommends getting tested 3-5 days after exposure. Local hospitals and healthcare facilities have also ramped up their testing capacity with reinstatement of drive-through test sites.
