Utah expands free rapid COVID-19 testing as case positivity rates spike

Jan 5, 2021, 1:00 PM

Former Digital Content Producer

SALT LAKE CITY– Utah health officials announced expanded free rapid antigen testing for COVID-19 to address concerns about the uptick in the COVID-19 case positivity rate.

“If you want to get tested, go get tested,” UDOH spokeswoman Charla Haley told KSL-TV.

Increasing cases across the state

The Utah Department of Health (UDOH) reported the highest test positivity rate since the start of the pandemic on Monday. Utah’s 7-day rolling average of positive laboratory tests rings in at 30.80%, which is the ninth highest in the nation, according to Intermountain Healthcare.

“There is a good likelihood that there are people out there who are actually positive for COVID but who haven’t been tested and don’t know they’re positive so they’re actually spreading the virus,” Haley said. “If they don’t know they’re positive with COVID, they won’t take the extra precautions and stay away from people like we need them to.”

Haley said the point of expanding free testing is to identify community spread, especially from asymptomatic individuals.

“Identifying these individuals will help slow the spread of infection in the community,” Haley explained.

However, Haley did note antigen tests are not as effective in detecting COVID-19 as PCR tests. Therefore, healthcare workers will refer a PCR test to those who have symptoms and test negative or don’t have symptoms and test positive on the rapid antigen test.

Free rapid antigen COVID-19 testing sites in Utah

Beaver County

Beaver High School, 195 E Center St, Beaver, Friday, 1/8 – 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday, 1/9 – 12:00 p.m. to 7 p.m. Register here.

Cache County

Hyrum Senior Center, 695 E Main St, Hyrum, Monday, 1/4 – 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Tuesday, 1/5 – 12:00 p.m. to 7 p.m. Register here.

Carbon County

Walmart, 255 S Hwy 55, Price, Monday, 1/4 – 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Tuesday, 1/5 – 12:00 p.m. to 7 p.m. Register here.

Davis County

Freeport Center, Clearfield, Wednesday, 1/6 and Thursday, 1/7 – 7 a.m. to noon (both days) Register here.
Woods Cross High School, 600 W 2200 S, Woods Cross, Friday, 1/8 – 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, 1/9 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Register here.

Duchesne County

Union High School, 850 E Lagoon St, Roosevelt, Friday, 1/8 – 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday, 1/9 – 12:00 p.m. to 7 p.m. Register here.

Emery County

Southeast Utah Health Department, 25 W Main St, Castle Dale, Wednesday, 1/6 – 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Thursday, 1/7 – 12:00 p.m. to 7 p.m. Register here.

Grand County

Southeast Utah Health Department, 575 S Kane Creek, Moab, Monday, 1/4 – 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Tuesday, 1/5 – 12:00 p.m. to 7 p.m. Register here.

Juab County

Juab High School, 802 N 650 E, Nephi, Friday, 1/8, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday, 1/9, 12:00 p.m. to 7 p.m. Register here.

Salt Lake County

Maverik Center, Lot D, 2050 W 3100 S, West Valley City, Monday – Saturday, 10 p.m. to 3 p.m. Register here.
Utah State Fair Park (building #51), 155 N 1000 W, Salt Lake City, Monday – Saturday, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Register here.
Murray City School District Office Building #1, 5102 S. Commerce Drive Murray, Tuesday, 1/5 and Friday, 1/8 – 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. (both days) Register here.
Glendale Middle School Gym, 1430 W Andrew Ave, Salt Lake City, – Friday, 1/8 – 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, 1/9 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Register here.
Corner Canyon High School, 12943 S 700 E, Draper, Friday 1/8 – 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, 1/9 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Register here.

San Juan County

San Juan County Building, 117 S Main St, Monticello, Wednesday, 1/6 – 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Thursday 1/7 – 12:00 p.m. to 7 p.m. Register here.
San Juan County Health Department, 735 S 200 W #2, Blanding, Friday 1/8 – 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday 1/9 – 12:00 p.m. to 7 p.m. Register here.

Sanpete County

North Sanpete Learning Center, 390 E 700 S, Mt Pleasant, Thursday 1/7 and Friday, 1/8 – 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. (both days) Register here.

Tooele County

Stansbury Park High School, 5300 Aberdeen Ln, Stansbury Park, Tuesday 1/5 and Wednesday 1/6 – 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. (both days) Register here.

Utah County

Spanish Fork High School, 99 N 300 W, Spanish Fork, Wednesday, 1/6 and Thursday, 1/7 – 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. (both days) Register here.
Vista Heights Middle School, 484 Pony Express Parkway, Saratoga Springs, Wednesday, 1/6 and Thursday, 1/7 – 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. (both days) Register here.
Lehi Junior High, 700 E Cedar Hollow Road, Lehi, Wednesday, 1/6and Thursday, 1/7 – 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. (both days) Register here.
Oak Canyon Junior High, 111 S 725 E, Lindon, Wednesday 1/6 and Thursday 1/7 – 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. (both days) Register here.

Wasatch County

Wasatch County Events Center, 415 Southfield Road, Heber City, Monday, 1/4 – 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Tuesday, 1/5 – 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Register here.

Weber County

Ogden School District, Building 8, 1950 Monroe Blvd. Ogden, Monday 1/4 and Tuesday 1/5 – 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. (both days) Register here.

Additional testing sites will open as more testing teams are available.

How To Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus

COVID-19 coronavirus spreads person to person, similar to the common cold and the flu. So, to prevent it from spreading:

Wash hands frequently and thoroughly, with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds.
Don’t touch your face.
Wear a mask to protect yourself and others per CDC recommendations.
Keep children and those with compromised immune systems away from someone who is coughing or sneezing (in this instance, at least six feet).
If there is an outbreak near you, practice social distancing (stay at home, instead of going to the movies, sports events, or other activities).
Obtain a flu shot.