The Kent County Health Department is experiencing a decline in the number of residents seeking COVID-19 tests. What’s causing the slowdown?
The Kent County Health Department reports a decline in the number of people coming through its test sites. Christopher Bendekgey is Community Clinical Services Division Director, he says 40%-50% fewer people are getting tested than at the height of infections in early to mid-July. What factors are contributing to fewer tests at health department sites?
“There’s more organizations coming online with their testing capacities and capabilities,” said Bendekgey.
Bendekgey is referring to a variety of chain and grocery store pharmacies. With more testing options, why fewer tests performed?
“The thought of that the virus is going away, which it is not," says Bendekgey. "So, I think there are fewer people seeking testing because they just think that it’s not needed anymore.”
And there’s the perception it takes too long to get test results back making them not worth it. The reality now is a quick turnaround time.
“We’re seeing anywhere between the 24 to 48-hour turnaround time with what I would say a vast majority of our results coming back within the 24 to 36-hour timeframe.”
There are four Kent County Health Department locations with immediate availability. Tests are free. Appointments can be made online at accesskent.com.