After concerns about false COVID-19 negatives, city of Greeley, UNC team up to host new testing company at a new site

Starting Saturday, free, community COVID-19 testing will take place at the University of Northern Colorado’s Bishop-Lehr building on 20th Street. Photo by Joshua Polson.

By Kelly Ragan

After the Food and Drug Administration raised concerns over the company running COVID-19 testing sites at both the University of Northern Colorado and Youth Sports Fields at 65th Avenue, the city will close them. 

In early January, the Food and Drug Administration warned health care providers and the public about Curative, the company running the COVID-19 tests at both locations, for a slew of false negatives. 

On Jan. 12, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said in a statement it was “closely monitoring the Curative testing administration in Colorado after the Food and Drug Administration issued a safety alert.” 

But after additional concerns voiced by the FDA, the state announced Jan. 21 it would no longer use the Curative COVID-19 tests. Starting Saturday, different, more accurate tests will be available at UNC’s Bishop-Lehr building on 20th Street as part of a joint venture between the city and UNC. 

Whereas Curative used mouth swabs, this testing company, Mako, uses the nasal swabs (you know, the ones that practically touch your brain) – which the Centers for Disease Control have (unfortunately) deemed more reliable. 

The site will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. all week long with drive-up and walk-up options. 

“This is a true community testing site, so both symptomatic and asymptomatic can be tested,” Frazen said. “It will be absolutely free, and there is no need to pre-register. They like you to pre-register, but it’s not necessary.” 

By the numbers: COVID-19 in Weld County 

• Two-week average positive test rate: 5.77% 

• Total number of deaths due to COVID: 205

• Total number of deaths due to COVID since Feb. 1: 1

• Initial vaccine doses issued by Weld County: 17,284

• Second vaccine doses issued by Weld County: 4,744