UPDATE: Carson City COVID-19 testing phone line changed

UPDATE, April 27, 12:50 p.m.

The Quad-County Emergency Operations Center experienced technical difficulties with the registration line for the community-based testing, according to a news release issued Monday at 12:43 p.m.

This was the line for those who are not currently experiencing symptoms. There was an issue with the phone line provider, the release said. The number to schedule a test for those without symptoms has been changed; it is now 775-434-1450. This number will be activated at 2 p.m., on Monday, April 27 and will be staffed 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Callers will be asked what county they reside in along with other demographic information.

Testing will begin the week of May 4 and will be by appointment only. With the help of the Nevada National Guard, approximately 1,800 COVID-19 tests will be administered to Quad-County residents who are not experiencing symptoms. This test is not the COVID-19 antibody test. It detects if the virus is in your system at the time of testing. A negative result does not mean an individual will not contract the virus later or if they have already had the virus.

There are limited appointments and testing locations will be available in each of the counties (Carson City, Douglas, Lyon, and Storey). The specific location will be given to the individual when they call 775-434-1450 to schedule an appointment.

If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, call the Quad-County COVID-19 Hotline at 775-283-4789. Individuals will be triaged and assessed by a nurse for testing. This hotline is for symptomatic individuals only; this is not the registration line mentioned above.

For information on COVID-19 and situation updates visit https://gethealthycarsoncity.org/novel-coronavirus-2019/.

INITIAL STORY

The phone line to arrange for a COVID-19 testing for individuals without symptoms is down.

Carson City Health and Human Services announced last week it would make available up to 1,800 tests for quad-county residents who are not experiencing any symptoms. Until now, testing from CCHHS has been available only for people who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.

Starting at 8 a.m., the line was to be available for individuals to make an appointment for a test sometime during the week of May 4. Tests will be available in Carson City, and Douglas, Lyon and Storey counties.

"At this time, we are not sure what time the line went down. It previously went to a voicemail thanking people for calling and to call back starting April 27," said Jessica Rapp, public information officer, CCHHS. "We are diligently working to fix the problem and will let everyone know when the line is back up."

The reservation line is 775-782-9090.