Coronavirus symptoms no longer a requirement for Denver’s free testing site

The city has tweaked its rules about who can get tests for COVID-19 at the Pepsi Center.
2 min. read
Michael Odom (left) and Takahiro Beachum, employees of Denver Police’s crime lab, work a new mass testing facility for COVID-19 at the Pepsi Center. May 21, 2020. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

People who do not have coronavirus symptoms but feel they may have been exposed to the virus are allowed to get a free test at the Denver-run site at the Pepsi Center parking lot, the city announced Tuesday.

Previously, the testing was open only to people who were experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19. Now, anyone who believes they might be exposed and those headed back to work spaces can get free testing. Anyone contacted by state or local public health agencies due to contact tracing are encouraged to get tested.

The city and Mayor Michael Hancock are encouraging people who participated in George Floyd demonstrations the past few days to get tested. The city said it won't be using COVID-19 testing data for criminal investigations related to protests.

Since opening on May 22, the site has tested more than 400 people daily, though Hancock previously said the site has the capacity to run up to 500 tests a day. The site is open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to Denver residents and those in the metro area.

Those seeking to get tested are encouraged to register online before showing up at the Pepsi Center site, which is located on the Prius parking lot. Results are usually available within three to four days.

Denver currently has 5,726 confirmed COVID-19 cases, according to data from Denver Public Health. At least 282 people have died from the disease.

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