Five Minute COVID-19 Tests Are Coming to Iowa

Testing for the novel coronavirus is about to become a lot faster and easier in Iowa.

WHO-TV reports thirteen rural Iowa communities will be receiving rapid COVID-19 testing machines.

The Abbott Machines offer the ability to provide test results in five minutes, rather than sending samples to a lab which can take days for processing.

In a statement, the governor’s office said about the distribution of the machines:

“The Iowa Department of Public Health looked at what communities may need the testing capacity that Abbott machines can provide, and do not have other testing resources close by. Keep in mind, the Abbott machines have limited testing capability, so sending them to rural areas makes the most sense when it comes to capacity needs while we await more cartridges and supplies.

The IDPH analyzed communities by looking at their elderly population, the number of nursing homes and long-term care centers in the area, the capacity of the area's hospitals, and if the health care centers could serve as a hub for other rural communities nearby.

The following locations will receive the rapid testing machines:

• Waukon
• Red Oak
• Washington
• Spencer
• Marshalltown
• Columbus City
• Mt. Ayr
• Algona
• Storm Lake
• Manchester
• Osceola
• Boone
• Independence