'If You Attended A Protest, Get A COVID-19 Test,' Gov. Polis Says
DENVER, CO — Public health officials around the nation are bracing for a surge in coronavirus cases amid the ongoing protests against the death of George Floyd. In a news conference Tuesday, Gov. Jared Polis asked Coloradans who participated in protests to take advantage of free testing.
"I respect the fact that those Coloradans consider [protesting] essential," Polis said. "It's not possible to stay at home when your conscience won't allow you to stay at home."
“I see you, I hear you, and I grieve with you,” the governor said.
He said protesters have a responsibility, however, to keep their families safe. He encouraged people to get tested at Pepsi Center in Denver. Access to the drive-up testing is being expanded to anyone who's been potentially exposed to the virus and those heading back to work under the state's new public safety guidelines.
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>> You can register for Denver's COVID-19 testing site at Pepsi Center here
"Increasing access to testing in Denver has been a huge priority," Mayor Michael Hancock said in a statement. "Ramping up capacity and access for more people, including those not experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, is critical to staying ahead of this pandemic and putting our city on the road to recovery."
The testing site is in the Prius parking lot on the far west side of Pepsi Center. You can access the entrance at 7th St and Auraria Parkway. There is no access to the testing site off of Speer or at the main entrance of Pepsi Center.
The site has been testing more than 400 people each day since it opened May 22, with the ability to increase that capacity as needed, city officials said. Results are available within three to four days by registering on the LabCorp website, downloading the LabCorp app to a smartphone or by calling the Denver Health NurseLine at 303-389-1876. Those who call the NurseLine need to provide the testing ID number given to them the day of their test.
The testing site is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, except holidays. People will be responsible for administering the nasal swab themselves to expedite the process and increase safety, officials said. If people are unable to do so, staff will assist.
Residents should register online before coming to the site and bring a document that verifies their name such as a photo ID (current or expired), RTD pass, EBT card, school ID, phone bill, utility bill or library card. Minors may be registered by their parents. Name verification is necessary to identify people who have been tested multiple times. Those who test positive will receive follow-up guidance for contact tracing purposes. Community members without internet access can call 311 for help.
This article originally appeared on the Denver Patch
