Dickinson to have drive-thru COVID-19 testing

Residents in Dickinson can soon get tested for the coronavirus, for free.

The City of Dickinson is partnering with the State of North Dakota to set up a drive-thru testing station at West River Recreation Center this week.

Testing will be available for targeted groups on Tuesday and not open to the general public. Testing for the general public will be available Wednesday.

Individuals who are exhibiting symptoms will be eligible for testing first, as there will be a limited number of test kits available.

"A symptom is as simple as a cough or a sore throat or body aching, so it may be that we think it's something else ... Just in case it's a lot of cold and flu-like symptoms, go ahead and come out and this will rule it in or out," said Joe Gaa, city administrator.

To participate, you must be in a vehicle and must access the testing site from West Business Loop 94, turning east on Fairway Street. Signage and traffic control officers will direct traffic.

Vehicles can line up beginning at 9:30 a.m. Testing will begin at 10 a.m. and continue until 3 p.m. or until all test kits have been used.

Businesses and residences will remain accessible for the event, but the City asks that the public avoid travel in the area when possible.

The testing is the result of the combined efforts the city, the state, Stark County Emergency Management and Southwest District Health Unit.

The effort is part of a testing event dubbed "Operation Drive-In" by Governor Doug Burgum. Testing has taken place already in places such as in Amidon, Gladstone, Stanley, Grand Forks and Fargo.

Dickinson has had a plan for testing for some time.

"We thought they might come here. Then they went to Slope County and Gladstone instead, so we've had a plan. About a week ago, we asked Southwest (District) Health (Unit) to take that plan up. They (the state) want to do more tests, but people weren't necessarily ready. Well, we had a plan so they said, 'Hey, we'll bring the site out to you and conduct the test if you're ready," Gaa said.

Burgum said in a press conference Monday that businesses may voluntarily reopen May 1 if the state continues to see a low rate of positive tests for COVID-19. They will be required to meet certain operating criteria under Phase 1 rules in the North Dakota Smart Restart plan, which will be announced Tuesday, Apr. 28.