Skip to Content

Hundreds wait in line for COVID-19 testing in Colorado Springs following holiday weekend

testing covid line

Colorado Springs, CO (KRDO) -- Hundreds of cars lined up at the drive-thru COVID-19 testing site Monday at UCHealth in Colorado Springs following the July 4th holiday weekend.

Carolyn Vogrin, a spokesperson for UCHealth spokesperson Carolyn Vogrin said that 365 went through the testing tent off Parkside Drive Monday. While that is considered a busy day, Vogrin told KRDO she wouldn't know how close it was to the daily record until Tuesday.

UCHealth says the high traffic could be because the testing site was closed Saturday. It’s usually open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.

Bill Plauth, the chief medical officer for Penrose-St. Francis, says hospitalizations are also trending upward, as El Paso County reports 120 new coronavirus cases today.

El Paso County Public Health reports 20 COVID-19 hospitalizations as well. According to our previous reporting, the county recorded seven COVID-19 hospitalizations for the first part of June.

"If you look at the number of people being hospitalized, that has gone up over the last few weeks, so it does suggest a real increase," Plauth said.

The state of Colorado reported its lowest coronavirus hospitalizations since March on June 27. According to state data, there were 126 hospitalizations due to COVID-19 that day. On Sunday, July 5, the state reported 171 COVID-19 hospitalizations.

"This is not the time to relax," Plauth said.

Plauth adds that, if you are diagnosed and need to be hospitalized, there is plenty of capacity at local hospitals.

Article Topic Follows: Local News

Jump to comments ↓

Author Profile Photo

Lauren Barnas

Lauren is an anchor and MMJ for KRDO and 13 Investigates. Learn more about Lauren here.

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION

KRDO NewsChannel 13 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.

Skip to content