Sub-zero temperatures are closing COVID drive-thru testing, and Cody Regional Health may keep it closed until the weather get a little bit warmer.
Cody Regional Health announced the temporary closure of their testing booth on both Tuesday and Thursday of this week due to the freezing temperatures anticipated.
“Our team is having a difficult time keeping our materials from freezing up in our testing hut due to the severe cold,” states Keith Ungrund, Chief Clinical Officer at Cody Regional Health. “We are hoping things will warm back up and we can continue our drive-thru testing next week, but we are dependent on the weather.”
The National Weather Service in Riverton anticipates Tuesday’s high temperatures will be seven degrees, with a wind chill value of 20 below zero. Thursday’s temperatures will be even lower – the high of 4 below zero and strong breezes all day.
Next week’s forecast isn’t available as of Tuesday. Feb. 9.
Testing at the Cody Stampede Rodeo Grounds should resume next Tuesday, Feb. 16, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., weather permitting.
This isn’t the first time the drive-thru has shut down due to weather. During last fall’s inexplicable cold snaps, a heated shelter was constructed to keep staff warm while they continued their important work.
While the importance of the COVID drive-thru cannot be underestimated, widespread testing and a reduced number of cases have reduced its demand. Monday testing was eliminated at the beginning of February after being added last October, lasting for the peak of COVID-19 in Park County.
While the drive-thru may be closed, testing is still available at the following locations:
- Cody Regional Health’s Walk-in Respiratory Clinic Hours will remain the same at the Cathcart Health Center. They are seeing respiratory/viral patients by appointment Monday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- Persons who seeking testing may also request a free Vault testing kit through the Wyoming Department of Health website.
- Walk-in Clinic Hours for non-respiratory patients are still Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 6:30 pm, Saturday 9:00 am to 5:30 pm and Sunday 9:00 am to 3:30 pm.
- Walgreens is offering no-cost, contactless COVID-19 testing for patients age 3 at its Cody location: 1585 Sheridan Avenue.
