June 30, 2025
Local NewsState & National

Test Iowa clinic moves to GRH’s main campus, experiments with drive-thru testing

By DUSTIN MAEDER

Test Iowa sign at the entrance of the Sioux City, Iowa COVOD-19 test site provides instruction for motorist as they enter the test area located the Western Iowa Technical Community College campus on the May 7, 2020. U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Vincent De Groot (Contributed U)

Test Iowa and Greater Regional Health have partnered to bring a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site to the Creston area Wednesday afternoon at 500 Industrial Parkway.

“We were never really able to do a drive-thru clinic, we never had a place that could do that,” said Kayla Hoffman, director of marketing communications at Greater Regional Health.

The drive-thru clinic was a one-time thing to gauge community need and interest, with a possibility of further implementation if feedback warranted it. The clinic ran from 2 to 5 p.m. in an attempt to make the site more conducive to businesses.

“They don’t even have to get out of their vehicle, they just drive in, they get swabbed, and they drive out,” said Hoffman. “We’re testing this out to see if this is something we should continue or if it is going to be a one-time thing.”

Test Iowa is a partnership between the state and private corporations with the goal of ramping up COVID-19 testing by providing quick, accessible and free clinics and sites to those who need or want to be tested, regardless of whether they are Union County residents or if they are displaying symptoms.

The clinic was previously located at GRH’s educational building at 801 Wyoming Ave., but moved back to the main campus when the opportunity presented itself.

“The numbers we were having come in didn’t justify having it off campus,” said Kayla Hoffman. “Now that we opened up another entrance, we have another way to get people on campus and get them in and out as quickly as possible.”

Test Iowa has received positive feedback due to the speed of the tests and results, as well as the convenience factor.

“Since it’s kind of a seperate entity from us, I think it’s giving our patients more of a sense of peace about it,” said Hoffman. “The option of being able to come here is quick, it’s easy, it takes less than five minutes to get done.”

With the Creston clinic, Hoffman said medical professionals have been going beyond the standard requirements, as they are willing to assist those who may have troubles navigating the Test Iowa website.

“A lot of other clinics don’t allow someone to come in unless they have the barcode, but our people here are taking time to walk people through the website,” said Hoffman.

The Test Iowa clinic was garnering around 100 tests during each three-day week, but the clinic’s relocation also saw an expansion in available hours, now being open 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday. Patients are recommended to enter through to the new Urgent Care vestibule entrance, where a screener will be there to provide assistance. Walk-ins are welcome, but it is recommended to visit the Test Iowa site and receive your barcode prior if able.