COLORADO SPRINGS — Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment officials are urging those who used the new Citadel Mall COVID-19 test site Tuesday to retest at that location due to "possible temperature control inconsistencies of testing samples."
Officials said over 300 samples were completed on Tuesday, which was the first day the site opened. El Paso County Health and the Pikes Peak Office of Emergency Management opened the drive-thru testing site on the south side of Citadel Mall, in the parking lot next to JCPenney.
The site is offering free testing and has four lanes, including one for oversized vehicles. As with many other testing sites, people will be asked to stay in their vehicles while health professionals administer the test.
CDPHE officials inspected the test site Wednesday after they were alerted by El Paso County health officials on the possible temperature inconsistencies.
After that, the state provided guidance to help Mako Medical, which runs the site, to make corrections and move forward with testing procedures. Officials said Mako Medical is "currently testing the samples to determine if temperature impacted the quality of the samples."
CDPHE officials are asking those who were tested Tuesday to return to the Citadel Mall to be retested "out of an abundance of caution." Those who were tested will be contacted by the department by phone.
If you have a question regarding your testing, you may call the state health department at (303) 256-2881.
The site is expected to test 500 or more people per day. County officials said setting up the site required cooperation from several agencies.
"The health department, the city, the county and the state all working together as one team to make this happen. So I'm very proud of those folks and they're trying to take care of our citizens here in the county," said Emergency Management Director Jim Reid.
While it's not required, County Health says registering online before going for a test will help speed up the process.
Results are expected to be available in 24 to 48 hours.
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Where: Citadel Mall parking lot just south of JCPenney, 750 Citadel Dr. E, Colorado Springs
Who: Testing is encouraged for people experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, first responders, health care workers, critical infrastructure employees and individuals who work in congregate settings.
When: Starting Aug 11; Tuesday - Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Pre-registration is recommended, but not required. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Cost: Testing is free; No insurance or referral is required
Note: se habla español
