COVID testing and vaccines and where to find them

As the Delta variant of the coronavirus makes a bigger impact on local residents, government officials encourage residents to continue testing and to get vaccinated. 

Soon after testing for COVID-19 became publicly available, Boulder County opened a testing facility at the Boulder County Fairgrounds. Not long after, St. Vrain Valley Schools hosted another testing facility at the Innovation Center. Soon, testing facilities were popping up everywhere. 

As the COVID-19 vaccine rolled out many of these clinics closed due to a decrease in need.

Now the Delta variant has begun to surge, causing testing to become increasingly important. 

The Heart of Longmont Church, located at 350 11th Ave. in Longmont, has taken up the mantel to provide free testing to the Longmont community. 

The clinic offers free testing to anyone “regardless of where you live — especially if you have symptoms,” a clinic flyer states. 

Individuals seeking a test can remain in their car or walk up to the clinic seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Results can be expected in as few as four days. 

This clinic does not require the participant to show identification, health insurance or a doctor referral. Although pre-registration is encouraged, no appointments for the test are necessary.

As of yesterday, Boulder County reported 93.2 new cases per 100,000 people over the last seven days which brought the seven-day positivity rate to 4.0%, up 0.1% from Monday’s numbers. 

Boulder County also offers a list of places, in addition to the Heart of Longmont Clinic, that offer COVID testing. In Longmont, the list includes Flatirons Family Pharmacy, NextCare Curbside and UCHealth Laboratory. These sites require an appointment. 

As of Saturday, Boulder County Public Health reported that 75% of residents age 12 and older were fully vaccinated with an additional 6% who have received a single dose. 

Vaccines remain free to residents who want them. Boulder County Public Health offers a vaccine clinic at the St. Vrain Community Hub, located at 515 Coffman St. This clinic has Spanish-speaking staff to assist with registration and questions. 

The St. Vrain Clinic is open Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5-8 p.m. and evey other Saturday from 2-8 p.m. At this clinic, participants can choose between the Moderna, the Johnson and Johnson and the Pfizer vaccines. Pfizer is the only vaccine currently approved for people ages 12-17. The other vaccines are available to those 18-years-old and older. 

Appointments are not necessary at the St. Vrain Community Hub clinic, however, participants are able to register for a specific time. Registration links are dependent on the date of the clinic. To choose a date and to register for a vaccine, click here.

The Boulder County website offers a list of other vaccination clinics available. Some of these clinics are mobile clinics that have made appearances at churches and local events throughout the county. These clinics do not have a steady schedule in one place so please check the calendar to see where a mobile clinic may pop up near you.