SHERIDAN — Sheridan health officials spoke Thursday about steps they have taken to prepare the Sheridan area for the COVID-19 pandemic, while noting that large-scale public testing is still a ways off. Partnerships between agencies have allowed for multiple test sites to be set up in coordination with Sheridan Memorial Hospital, Sheridan County Public Health and local pediatric clinics.

While Mike McCafferty said the main site is set up and scalable for large scale testing, he also emphasized that test kits are not available in abundance.

“We are not looking to pursue just an open line of testing,” McCafferty said Thursday. “We’re still going through testing by appointment, people who are symptomatic and meet the CDC requirements for utilizing that finite resource, which is the test.”

Hospital and public health officials noted that those experiencing the classic COVID-19 symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath should call the dedicated COVID-19 phone number at 307-672-1004 to seek advice about whether or not testing is indicated.

Dr. Ian Hunter, county health officer and liaison for the Sheridan County Incident Management Team, said he knew of approximately 40 individuals who have been tested for COVID-19 in Sheridan County.

But, that number doesn’t include any tests done at walk-in clinics.

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