Iowa virus screening website draws 80,000 visitors in first hour

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Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, right, said Wednesday that more than 80,000 Iowans visited the testIowa.com virus assessment website during its first hour of operation.

DES MOINES, Iowa — Gov. Kim Reynolds reported Wednesday more than 80,000 Iowans were assessed for coronavirus testing in the first hour after the launch of the Test Iowa initiative Tuesday.

The Test Iowa initiative aims to expand Iowa’s virus testing capacity in order to limit the spread of COVID-19 in Iowa. The state has partnered with a private company, Nomi Health, and its subsidiary, DOMO, to develop and conduct the testing, which starts Saturday with a drive-though testing facility at the Iowa Events Center.

Nomi Health runs a similar virus-testing initiative for the state of Utah.

“Iowa is now the second state in the nation to deploy this ambitious initiative, and starting today I am encouraging Iowans to go to testIowa.com to complete their own health assessment,” Reynolds said Tuesday. “This type of information will help Iowans assess eligibility for testing and further inform the state’s response to COVID-19.”

The Test Iowa initiative includes an assessment that was developed in coordination with the Iowa Department of Public Health. The online screening tool is intended to help Iowans decide whether they should get a COVID-19 test and provides instructions on how to get tested. The assessment tool asks questions about existing symptoms and occupational considerations.

Reynolds also kicked off the #TestIowaChallenge in a video encouraging Iowans to go to testIowa.com and complete the assessment. The #TestIowaChallenge encourages all Iowans regardless of symptoms to take the assessment and get tested if needed. Workers who are part of the essential workforce are especially encouraged to take the assessment and then get tested if needed, Reynolds said.

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