STEELE, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Kidder County District Health Unit (KCDHU) will begin providing at-home COVID-19 tests at no out-of-pocket cost to the community beginning Tuesday, February 15 at its office.
Tests are limited to two per individual, but one individual is able to pick up tests for a household. No identification is required to pick up tests. Individuals entering the KCDHU office, at 422 2nd Avenue NW in Steele, are required to wear masks.
“When you consider how much of Kidder County is rural, the availability of these tests is really a good thing,” said KCDHU Administrator Janel Brousseau. “You are able to use these tests if you find out you are a close contact, or are experiencing symptoms and its results can help you make more informed decisions about your health.”
The tests will be distributed to local businesses throughout the county by KCDHU. Please do not enter any distribution sites if you are sick. Instead, contact the facility and make arrangements to receive the COVID-19 tests. Contact KCDHU at (701) 475-2582 for more information. On February 21, the public health office will be closed in observation of Presidents Day.
Kidder County Home Test Kit Locations
- Dawson: Dawson Grocery – Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Pettibone: Farmers Union – Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to Noon
- Robinson: Senior Center – Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Steele: Kidder County District Health Unit – Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Tappen: Tappen Farm Supply – Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The results of at-home COVID-19 tests are not reportable to the State. If you need validated results or a letter stating you tested positive or negative, you will need to seek testing from your health care provider or from a state or local public health testing site.
More than 1.5 million tests have been purchased by the North Dakota Department of Health to be distributed. Shipments of these tests will arrive throughout February and March. An information sheet containing test particulars, including what to do if testing positive or negative, will be available in English and Spanish. This information will also be available online.
There are three types of tests available:
- Celltrion – 2 tests per box, authorized for individuals aged 14 years and older.
- iHealth – 2 tests per box, authorized for individuals aged 2 years and older.
- FlowFlex – 1 test per box, authorized for individuals aged 2 years and older.
For ongoing response efforts to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ND Department of Health has established a COVID-19 Hotline to help answer questions. Call 1-866-207-2880, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with questions. Please note that individuals seeking specific medical advice should contact their healthcare provider.
KCDHU has provided a variety of COVID-19 information through its Facebook page. You can connect with them at Facebook for updates about testing events.
For more info about COVID-19, visit the ND Department of Health or CDC website.