San Juan Basin Public Health (SJBPH) is pleased to announce the availability of Cue testing, a highly accurate, rapid COVID-19 test now available in La Plata and Archuleta counties. These two counties are among the first places in the country to have rapid community testing available to the general public.
Cue – a rapid nucleic acid amplification test – is easy for patients and in most cases provides results in less than 30 minutes. Cue tests are highly accurate at identifying both symptomatic and asymptomatic cases of COVID. Access to testing results in minutes, instead of days, will allow for quick identification of cases and help limit the spread of COVID-19. As of Monday, April 19, Cue tests are available on location at both the La Plata County and Archuleta County Fairgrounds testing sites. Residents are strongly encouraged (but not required) to pre-register online for a Cue test: https://www.primarybio.com/l/cdphe.
On Friday, April 23, the Archuleta County COVID-19 testing site will relocate to the property of the Pagosa Springs Medical Center (PSMC). The Archuleta County Community Testing Site (operated by COVIDCheck Colorado) will offer both rapid Cue testing and lab-based PCR testing from 10a.m. to 1p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. The testing site will be in a drive-through structure behind the PSMC building at 95 S. Pagosa Blvd, Pagosa Springs.
With the virus circulating and variants present in the community, officials at SJBPH stress that COVID-19 testing, isolation, and quarantine remain critical to reducing the spread of the virus. Cases are currently on the rise in La Plata County, and Archuleta County has one of the highest one-week cumulative incidence rates in Colorado at 357.1 new cases per 100,000 residents.
“Just over one-third of the residents in both counties are fully vaccinated. Testing remains an important tool to limit the spread of COVID-19, and both unvaccinated and vaccinated people should utilize the free, rapid Cue testing that’s now available,” said Liane Jollon, SJBPH Executive Director. “The pandemic is still dangerous, as variants are spreading, and hospitalizations are on the rise. Along with as many people as possible getting a lifesaving vaccine, testing and public health precautions will save lives, help businesses stay open, and maintain in-person learning in our schools.”
SJBPH encourages residents to get tested if they are symptomatic, think they’ve been exposed, or work in a high-contact position. There is no fee for testing, and no appointment is needed. SJBPH, in partnership with COVIDCheck Colorado, provides free COVID-19 testing at the following locations:
- Archuleta County Community Testing Site provides Cue and PCR testing from 10a.m. to 1p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
- Important Note: The last day of COVID-19 testing at the Archuleta County Fairgrounds (344 U.S. HWY 84 in Pagosa Springs) is Wednesday, April 21st. The site will move to the Pagosa Springs Medical Center (95 S. Pagosa Blvd, Pagosa Springs) on Friday, April 23rd.
- La Plata County Community Testing Site provides Cue and PCR testing from 1p.m. to 5p.m., Monday through Thursday and Saturday, located at the La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 Main Ave in Durango.
The next 30 days are critical to slow the spread of COVID-19. Follow these important public health precautions and encourage your friends and family to do the same:
- Get tested if you are symptomatic, think you’ve been exposed, or work in a high contact job.
- Get the COVID-19 vaccine (all residents aged 16 and up are now eligible for vaccination).
- Wear a face mask.
- Keep your distance – stay at least 6 feet apart from others not in your household.
- Avoid nonessential indoor spaces and gatherings with others not in your household.
- Avoid nonessential travel, especially until you are fully vaccinated.
- Wash hands thoroughly.
For more information on COVID-19 testing, please visit: https://sjbpublichealth.org/testing/. To get a lifesaving COVID-19 vaccine, schedule an appointment via the provider links on SJBPH’s website: https://sjbpublichealth.org/covid-19-vaccine/.