(Atlantic, Iowa) – With COVID-19 cases on the rise again across Iowa and much of the country, testing supplies are in high demand. Cass Health Laboratory Director Mitch Whiley, says the supply of rapid tests are being limited these days, after a sufficient supply was on-hand earlier this summer.

He says the determination of who gets the rapid tests is driven by their test suppliers.

In Cass County, outpatient testing options include free home testing kits from Test Iowa, and Outpatient testing at Cass Health. The home test kits can be ordered from testiowa.com, or picked up from Cass County Public Health.

The saliva-based test results are typically available 48-hours after it is received by the State. Outpatient testing according to Whiley, is appropriate for those persons who need to be tested prior to travel, prior to a medical procedure, or who are mildly ill. The tests will be offered by appointment at Cass Health, and then sent on to a reference laboratory for processing. Results typically take 48-to-72-hours, and are delivered in the patient’s MyChart account.

Whiley says the manufacturer who makes Cass Health’s COVID tests, also makes the Flu and RSV Tests. He says RSV has been hitting hospitals hard, lately, so that impacts the amount of tests available.

Whiley says to help prevent the spread of illnesses, all patients with symptoms who are tested for COVID-19, should isolate themselves while they wait for their result. For more information about COVID-19, visit coronavirus.iowa.gov.