As of Monday, Dec. 14, COVID-19 testing through Chaffee County Public Health is moving from the Touber Building in Salida to the Chaffee County Fairgrounds, 10165 County Road 120, Salida.
Chaffee County Public Health workers conduct drive-up coronavirus testing at the Chaffee County Fairgrounds on Dec. 3. Dan Smith photo.
The move provides space for the growing demand for testing as well as for Phase I COVID-19 vaccinations that are planned to begin in the near future for the highest risk healthcare workers and individuals, as well as long-term care facility staff and residents.
The Public Health testing clinics at the Fairgrounds will be open Monday through Friday, 10:30 a.m. to noon. In Buena Vista (114 Linderman Ave.), testing is available Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Appointments are necessary at each location and you’re asked to remember to include your email when scheduling.
When to test?
- If you are symptomatic, Public Health recommends you get tested at the first available opportunity. Remember to remain isolated until you receive your test result.
- If you were a close contact, but have no symptoms, testing is recommended 6-7 days after exposure. If you have remained asymptomatic the entire time since exposure and test on day 6 or later, your quarantine is considered complete after day 7, as long as your test result is negative. Test results take 3-4 days. Quarantine NEVER ends before day 7. Quarantine can end on day 8, 9 or 10 if you have a negative test from day 6 or after.
Chaffee County Public Health
Important details:
- Each person to be tested will need their own individual appointment.
- Clinics are held at the Chaffee County Fairgrounds – NOT the Touber building. Enter the Fairgrounds main entrance and follow the signs. Wear a mask and remain in your car. Continue to pull forward until someone comes to meet you.
- Individuals should isolate themselves from others until they get their results. If that is not possible, you must minimize your social contacts to only those who are necessary. Results arrive via text message or email from the testing company within 3-4 days.
- No eating, drinking (including water), smoking, vaping or chewing gum 20 minutes prior to your appointment time.
What to do if you test positive
- Positive cases are in isolation until they meet the criteria to be released and are provided an isolation letter.
- Positive cases need to begin contacting their close contacts and employer. A close contact is anyone who was within 6 feet of the positive case for 15 minutes or more in total over 24 hours, beginning 48 hours before symptoms (or a positive test if asymptomatic). Quarantine guidelines have changed, and a quarantine letter is provided for close contacts.
- You will be contacted by a contact tracer within a few days.
For additional testing sites in Chaffee County, click here.
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