BLOOMINGTON – Penny Caudill, the administrator at the Monroe County Health Department, isn’t worried about the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) closing the Optum COVID-19 testing site in Bloomington earlier this month because the need for mass clinics is declining.
“As more people get vaccinated, the need for mass testing sites like Optum declines,” says Caudill. The free Morton Street Community COVID-19 Testing Center, located at 640 South Morton, remains open but is tentatively scheduled to close at the end of July,” Caudill says, “There will still be many places to get tested for COVID-19, including pharmacies,
health clinics and at your doctor’s office.”
She recommends calling ahead to check prices as costs may vary, depending on the type of test, the location and if the site is part of a federal program.
A map of places in Indiana to get tested for COVID-19 is available on the IDOH Coronavirus webpage. The easiest way to see all of the options is to scroll down to the map and the list of test sites by county and select your county. In Monroe County, the list shows 8 sites that provide COVID-19 testing. The webpage provides information on each testing site, including hours of operation and links to register for an appointment. Indiana University will continue its asymptomatic, symptomatic voluntary, and mitigation COVID-19 testing program for students, faculty, and staff. Details can be found by clicking here.
Self-test home rapid antigen kits, such as BinaxNOW, are available in local pharmacies, including Sam’s Club, Walmart, Kroger, and CVS. The cost ranges between $19.88 to $25 and test results are available in about 15 minutes. The kits include 2 tests and directions that say tests can be done 36 hours apart when illness is suspected.
Self-test home PRC tests are available online from some retailers, such as Kroger and Sam’s Club, with tests costing around $100. These tests require a sample to be sent to a lab for processing with results back generally in 2-5 days.
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, people who are fully vaccinated do not need to get tested or quarantined after exposure to someone with COVID-19, but should monitor for symptoms and get tested only if symptoms develop.
“This is a great incentive for people to get vaccinated,” says Caudill. “The COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, and easy to get. If you are unvaccinated, then getting tested for COVID-19 when you are symptomatic or following exposure to COVID-19, remains a vital way to protect both your health and the health of those around you.”
