County to hand out free at-home Covid tests

Free Covid-19 tests will be available Tuesday, Feb. 1 at the Flathead County Fairgrounds Expo Building.

The Flathead City-County Health Department will offer one antigen self-test person from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., while supplies last.

Businesses that would like to request an allocation of test kits for employee can submit an online form at https://hipaa.jotform.com/220194780521048.

Once a form is submitted, businesses will be asked to send someone to pick up the requested supply at the Fairgrounds during the Feb. 1 event. Allocations will depend on the number of employees and the current test kit supply. Businesses will be allowed a maximum of one test kit per employee.

The state health department spent $5.5 million in federal COVID-19 relief money to order the tests earlier this month.

County-by-county information on when and where the tests will be distributed can be found at hometest.mt.gov.

The CareStart tests are self-administered and results are available in 10 minutes. Anyone who tests positive is asked to report it to their county health department.

“Early testing is an effective method to prevent the spread of Covid-19,” said Joe Russell, Health Officer of the Flathead City-County Health Department. “These test kits are a great resource for the community, and we encourage anyone who is interested to swing by the event and pick up a test for themself and their families.”

Feb. 1 is also the last mass vaccine clinic date occurring at the Flathead County Fairgrounds. Moving forward, Covid vaccines will be available by appointment or walk-in on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Health Department Immunization Clinic.

For more information visit flatheadhealth.org.