Testing in Iowa and Nebraska: State-issued sites expand, smaller programs struggle
Iowa and Nebraska health officials said state-issued testing keeps expanding while smaller testing programs are struggling.
Pottawattamie County planning director Matt Wyant told KETV Newswatch 7 that testing is going "really well."
"We did just surpass 10,000 individuals tested in Pottawattamie County which is awesome for us," Wyant said.
Tina Acosta got tested at the Test Iowa site at the Western Historic Trails Center. She said the registration and qualification process was easy for her and her family.
"I didn't expect to get in the next day, so that was very nice," said Acosta. "The waiting game -- it'd drive me crazy."
Devin Geeser said his process was similar.
"I just went online, filled out their survey and they told me I qualified," said Geeser.
Geeser and Acosta were promised to get their results within 72 hours.
Wyant said private labs are struggling in response time.
"We heard today that some of the private labs are up to eight days is what they're taking for processing time," he said.
In Douglas County, Dr. Adi Pour said the health department keeps hearing complaints about testing delays.
"We are bringing it up with labs every time we get a chance and because we all want this to happen as quickly as possible," she said.
Dr. Pour said a fast turnaround time isn't easy.
"A lab in Kansas is doing analysis and then they have to send it to the state, the state then sends it to another database and then that database lets the local health department know," she said as an example.
The health director said it's unusual the country is struggling with test supplies.
"Everybody who wants to be tested should be able to get tested," Pour said.
Test Nebraska just opened a new site outside Crossroads mall. Test results are promised to return within 48 hours.
Pour said Test Nebraska generally has been quick in their turnaround results.