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Free COVID-19 testing available in Helena

Posted at 5:54 PM, Aug 13, 2020
and last updated 2020-08-13 19:57:59-04

Free COVID-19 testing has expanded in the Helena area.

Thanks to Dick Anderson Construction, PureView Health Center has a new COVID Testing Center, separate from their main building. The trailer is climate controlled and located on the on 9th Ave.

“We’re anticipating that we’re going to get quite a few people who need to be tested, whether they’re symptomatic or they’ve been identified by Lewis and Clark Public Health as a contact to a case,” said PureView CEO Jill-Marie Steeley. “This allows us to limit the number of people that come into the main site so they don’t potentially expose other patients or staff.”

Steeley says testing demands are expected to grow as cold and flu season arrives.

PureView and St. Peter’s Health are working together with Lewis and Clark Public Health to ensure everyone can easily access COVID testing.

"We are stronger when we do things together," said Lewis and Clark Public Health Officer Drenda Niemann. "The goal is to work together and collaborate to provide several convenient COVID-19 testing sites for our community.”

Health experts across the nation agree that testing and quarantining of people experiencing symptoms or people who have had close contact with someone who has COVID-19 is one of the most effective ways to slow the spread of COVID-19 and save lives.

According to St. Peter's Health Medical Group President Dr. Todd Wampler, "testing is one of the most powerful weapons we have against COVID-19. We encourage anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms to get tested, and importantly, stay home unless seeking testing or medical care."

St. Peter's Health Urgent Care at the Regional Medical Center, PureView Health Center and Walgreens are all offering free COVID-19 testing.

St. Peter's Health Urgent Care at the Regional Medical Center (hospital)

2475 Broadway Street, Helena, MT 59601

Walk-in to Urgent Care between 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Monday – Friday. 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

PureView Health Center

1930 9th Avenue, Helena, MT 59601

1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday

Pull into the COVID designated parking spot at main clinic and call 406-500-2088

Walgreens

1150 11th Avenue, Helena, MT 59601 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., seven days a week

Anyone can be tested at this drive-up site as long as they are over 18 years of age. Appointments are required. To sign-up for an appointment visit www.walgreens.com/coronavirus. This effort is part of Walgreen’s commitment to the health of the community. You must drive-up to this site for your appointment (not walk-up or ride-up options).

Individuals directed by a public health department official for contact tracing should get tested at the PureView or Walgreens testing sites. Asymptomatic may also get tested at Walgreens by appointment.

St. Peter’s Health is encouraging people to discuss with their provider about getting tested before a surgery or other procedure they may have scheduled.