LINCOLN, Neb. (KMTV) — For weeks, Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts has said that he is searching all avenues to expand testing statewide.
On Monday, he announced a new program that he says will eventually allow the state to test over 3,000 people a day, including people with few or no symptoms.
Governor Ricketts announced testnebraska.com, the website is now open for Nebraskans to fill out the assessment and in ten days, the state will start choosing those needing a test the most, but they won’t stop there.
“We’ll start out with the highest priority first, the people who are keeping us safe. Then the people that are highly symptomatic, but then as we get through those folks we’ll be taking that down to people that have a few symptoms or one symptom and then the people that are completely asymptomatic,” says Ricketts.
Once you fill out the form you’ll be prioritized and many will eventually get notified to schedule a time. After the test, you can track your results online.
“We don’t have to get everybody tested but we want to get a large number of people tested, including those that are asymptomatic and may want to get that test,” says Ricketts
If the healthcare system does not get overwhelmed, Ricketts hopes this new testing program allows much the state to soon go back to work, with just a select few remaining quarantined.
“Really focusing on those people that are directly impacted. Those people that test positive and the people they’ve had contact with,” says Ricketts.
The companies the state is working with for the expanded testing is based in Utah and has been testing around 2,500 people over the last couple of weeks.
