FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 6/9/2020

Gothenburg, NE— Gothenburg Health is offering a rapid COVID-19 test that provides results in less than 20 minutes.

 

The test is available to those experiencing symptoms, as well as for those who do not have symptoms, but a medical consultation is required to order a test.

 

Dr. Anna Dalrymple, Family Practice physician at Gothenburg Health, said the accuracy of the test is significantly higher than rapid tests released earlier. She added that this test uses a traditional nasal swab, which is more comfortable for the patient than the swabs that have previously been used for COVID-19 tests and is similar to a flu swab.

 

“The technology itself is not new,” said Deb Saum, Laboratory Supervisor at Gothenburg Health. “We’ve been using rapid testing for decades. We have been using a similar test in our lab for rapid flu and rapid strep tests for many years. It’s the same company, same technology and the same machine that runs the rapid strep and rapid flu tests. It’s just a different test kit they’ve put together to test for the coronavirus.”

 

The COVID-19 rapid test is manufactured by San Diego-based Quidel, the first manufacturer to receive emergency use authorization (EUA) from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a rapid antigen test. Named Sofia, the test uses a fluorescent immunoassay analyzer for the detection of the coronavirus in a nasal or nasopharyngeal specimen.

 

According to Saum, the company promises close to 100% accuracy on positive COVID-19 test results and 80% accuracy on negative COVID-19 tests.

 

Before the rapid testing solution, Gothenburg Health was sending COVID-19 test swabs out to reference labs. “Our laboratories are working hard, but there is a large backlog of COVID-19 lab tests,” said Saum. “The results were not coming fast enough. Now we can give patients answers and, hopefully, peace-of-mind before they walk out of our clinic.”

 

Rapid testing can provide real-time data to help catch infections and prevent possible community outbreaks. Those that test positive can be quickly isolated before they risk infecting others. Additionally, the availability of this new test will further safeguard the health and safety of Gothenburg Health employees. Any employee with suspected exposure will be tested promptly to ensure no other employees are potentially exposed.  In addition to the existing employee and patient screenings, mask requirements, social distancing measures, and continuous education, this new measure will further guarantee patient safety at Gothenburg Health

 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting and diarrhea.

 

Gothenburg Health encourages any patients experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms to call before coming into the clinic so we can best care for you: 308-537-4066.

 

Gothenburg Health has not had a COVID-19 positive inpatient to date.

All positive COVID-19 patients under our care are managing themselves well at home and are being monitored by their provider and Two Rivers Public Health Department.

 

Gothenburg Health is a premier critical access hospital, and rural health clinic focused on serving the community of Gothenburg and surrounding areas with modern facilities and highly skilled employees. Gothenburg Health recently completed a 31 million-dollar renovation and expansion. The new construction project, completed in the spring of 2018, includes a state-of-the-art surgical suite, brand-new patient wing, prominent main entry, clinical expansion, advanced imaging suite with in-house MRI, and finally, a medically integrated YMCA. We are proud to not only offer the basics but to provide a wide variety of progressive services that have grown with the needs of our community. Gothenburg Health is dedicated to its mission of providing quality, cost-effective healthcare services while promoting wellness and quality of life in our service communities.

 

Becky Jobman

Chief Development Officer-Gothenburg Health

910 20th Street, Gothenburg, NE 69138

Direct: 308.537.4094 | bjobman@gothenburghealth.org