Chelan County Fire District 5 works to ensure community has at-home COVID-19 tests

MANSON - A new COVID-19 testing resource is now available at Chelan County Fire District 5 (CCFD5). CCFD5 is distributing FREE rapid, at-home COVID-19 tests.
Community members can pick up a box of iHealth Lab COVID-19 tests at the Fire Station at Station 51 in downtown, at 250 Manson Blvd, Manson. The tests allow community members to perform their own COVID-19 test at home and get results within 15 minutes.
“Our community relies on us to keep them safe from hazards like fires, hazardous materials, and the COVID-19 pandemic. As we near the end of the federal public health emergency, we encourage folks to come and pick up a box of FREE COVID-19 tests at CCFD5 to have on hand at home, if and when they are needed,” says Fire/EMS Chief Arnold Baker.
“COVID-19 tests are an important tool in our agency’s toolbox as we all continue to live with the virus. We aim to ensure all our community members have a test on hand to check their status. Knowing if you have COVID-19 can help you stay at home, and stop the spread of the virus to neighbors, friends, classmates, and loved ones,” says Baker.
Community members who have COVID-19 symptoms, may have been exposed to COVID-19, or are concerned about their COVID-19 status should come to CCFD5 to pick up a FREE box of COVID-19 tests. Knock on the main door at the Fire Station in Manson and staff will provide as many test kits as needed.
The testing service is designed to be easy to access for community members. COVID-19 test kits are available for pickup Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and community members do not need an appointment to pick up tests.
Community members should not call 911 for COVID-19 tests. “We need to keep 911 available for emergencies. If you would like a COVID-19 test, do not call 911. Please come to the station and we will provide them to you,” says Chief Baker.
There is no cost to pick up a test kit. Test kits are available to anyone regardless of insurance or immigration status.
You do not need a referral from a healthcare provider to pick up a test kit. Lastly, you do not need to give any personal information to pick up a test kit.
“While our rates are low, COVID-19 does continue to impact the Manson community. Our low-barrier service aims to ensure that our community members are prepared and equipped with testing kits if you should need them,” says Baker.