Golden now has its own free COVID-19 testing site.

On Nov. 20, Jefferson County Public Health announced it was partnering with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to open a large-scale COVID-19 community testing site at the Jeffco Fairgrounds. The testing site opened on Nov. 22.

Although the site will accept walk-ins, those looking to get tested are encouraged to pre-register at this website. The site can perform at least 2,000 tests a day, and people can see how many tests are left before they leave home at the registration link. Results are expected to take 2-3 days to get back.

According to a press release, the location will offer a self-performed oral test, which minimizes in-person contact and risk of transmission of both site visitors and testing professionals.

“We know that the sooner someone knows they have COVID-19, the sooner they can take important steps to prevent disease spread, like isolating at home and notifying their close contacts,” said Dr. Margaret Huffman, Director of Community Health Services at JCPH, in the release. “These new testing sites will help more people know if they have the virus sooner, which will help our community in the fight against COVID-19."

There are no identification or insurance requirements to get tested at the site. The site will be closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

There are now more than 50 community testing locations operating around the state. A map of locations can be found at Covidtest.colorado.gov/map.

Testing guidance

According to state guidance, anyone who gets tested because of symptoms or a positive exposure should be in isolation while waiting for the test result. In addition, all individuals who believe they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should quarantine for a full 14 days, even if they have a test done and it comes back negative.

The state also cautions that a negative test doesn't mean it's OK to meet in large gatherings or ignore other public health orders, like wearing a mask.

“All Coloradans need to mask up, physically distance, avoid large gatherings, and stay home while sick,” the release states.

High demand on first day

On the site's first day of operation on Nov. 22, it was already seeing extreme demand. According to a second release issued by JCPH, the site tested at least 300 people in its first hours after opening. With an estimated 500 more cars in line, site staff made the decision to close the line, "to ensure those waiting receive a test by the time the site closes,” the county statement said.

The site reopened the next day at 7 a.m.

High demand and long waits at the site are expected to continue.