LINCOLN – The State of Nebraska unveiled a plan to boost virus testing as cases rise throughout the Midwest.
Nebraska will dramatically increase the number of people tested for the coronavirus over the next few weeks using a program that was recently launched in Utah and Iowa. Governor Pete Ricketts is urging residents to visit testnebraska.com, a website that will allow Nebraskans to get a free, voluntary health assessment.
People who have symptoms, have been exposed to the coronavirus or have traveled to hot spots will reportedly be eligible for free, drive-thru tests when testing kits are available.
The program has three components: assess, test & track.
- First, Nebraskans can go to TestNebraska.com to take an initial assessment. This helps epidemiologists to gauge the general health of various communities and to decide where to set up testing sites.
- Second, the coalition will set up testing in different locations across the state over the next 2-5 weeks. Testing sites will have multiple kits and multiple test options.
- Third, the site will check in with everyone who has been assessed, asking 2-3 follow up questions to track their well-being.
The partnership between the state and a coalition of private companies could allow the state to test up 3,000 residents per day in about five weeks, up from its current average of 600 to 800 tests.