This week, Denali Education Center resumed its COVID-19 testing program, and Northern Valley residents are signing up. KTNA’s Phillip Manning experienced first-hand how testing will work, and has this story:
Over the eighteen-plus months of the COVID-19 pandemic, more than three million tests for the virus that causes the disease have been conducted in the State of Alaska. That means that many people have been tested multiple times. If someone travels or has a job that requires regular screenings, a swab up the nose becomes part of the routine. Still, there are some who haven’t had to take a test yet, so I decided the reopening of testing at Denali Education Center would be a good opportunity to walk through the process.
In the brisk morning weather on Monday, I took the short walk from KTNA to Denali Education Center with my recorder in hand. I approached the window on the outside of the building and was greeted by testing staff member Margareth Twigg, who explained the process to me while wearing full personal protective equipment, including a mask, gloves, gown, and face shield.
I was given a Binax antigen test. I did as instructed and swabbed each nostril. With the antigen tests, the swab has to go far enough up the nose that it’s fairly uncomfortable, but it wasn’t painful. I had taken this kind of test before when traveling. Afterwards, I returned the swab, and the wait began.
The test takes about fifteen minutes to return a result. Most people who came for a test while I was at Denali Education Center waited in their cars. I walked, so stood a little way from the building. With a temperature in the low forties, that wasn’t bad, but colder winter temperatures present a challenge. Testing staff are still working on a solution for those who need a test when it’s cold, but did not come in a car. As a general rule, those being tested are not allowed in the building, and all interaction is through a window.
As I waited, a thought occurred to me. I scheduled the test as a follow-up story. I had no known exposure, I don’t have symptoms, and I’m fully vaccinated against COVID-19. I even checked beforehand to make sure it wouldn’t cause an issue with supplies or scheduling before making my appointment.
Still, vaccine breakthrough cases happen.
What started as a typical field trip for a story had me slightly nervous. Being vaccinated, the statistics say I’m not likely to get seriously ill even if I do have COVID-19, but it will still mean logistical problems for myself and KTNA.
After fifteen minutes that suddenly felt a lot longer, I returned for my results, which were negative.
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel relieved, even though I was fairly sure of the result.
The antigen test I was given is one of two offered at the Denali Education Center testing site. It is currently under an Emergency Use Authorization from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The antigen test has a possibility of a false-negative, but Margareth Twigg explains that there’s the option for a follow-up test for those experiencing COVID-like symptoms.
“If you present symptoms and you take this antigen test, we’re going to ask you to then take a Cue test, which is a molecular test and much more accurate.”
While I did make myself a little nervous while waiting for my test results, I did feel a genuine sense of relief after getting my negative result. With the continuing high case count and low vaccination rate in the Mat-Su, it’s hard to know when you’re exposed.
Denali Education Center is giving COVID tests on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Appointments can be made at Denali.org or by calling 907-733-7003.
