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Patient and Visitor Screening Information  |  COVID-19 Resources  |  Virtual Care Options with The Iowa eClinic

Coronavirus

To make an appointment for testing, call 515.875.9268 or schedule online (limited online appointments available).

Learn more about the following:

Stay Informed About Coronavirus

Mobile Testing Center Now Available

The Iowa Clinic is now offering appointments for novel coronavirus (COVID-19) testing through a Mobile Testing Center Monday through Friday from 8am-4pm and Saturday through Sunday 8am-2pm at our West Des Moines location. At this time, testing is being done by appointment only - no walk-ins will be accepted.

Patients with an appointment should remain in their cars for testing while limiting possible exposure to others. Doing this allows for us to keep our patients, healthcare providers and staff as safe as possible while being proactive to hopefully prevent further spreading of the virus. Please note: due to delays in laboratory testing, it may take up to 6 business days to receive the results of your test.

Criteria for Testing

You may be at-risk for coronavirus if you meet the following criteria:

  • You have been in close contact with someone who has been tested positive 
    AND/OR
  • You have a fever of 100.4 or higher with accompanying respiratory symptoms such as cough and/or possible shortness of breath

It is important that you are completely honest about your exposure and symptoms to allow us to help as many people who need testing as possible. 

Scheduling Your Appointment

If you meet the above criteria without having known exposure to influenza (fever comes on suddenly and is accompanied by body aches, chills, extreme exhaustion), call 515.875.9268 Monday through Friday 7:30am-4:30pm and on weekends from 7:30am-2pm to schedule your appointment for testing. After-hours appointments can also be scheduled online but appointment availability is limited.

DO NOT WALK-IN. Walk-ins will not be accepted at this time.

What to Expect for Your Testing Appointment:

When scheduling your COVID-19 testing appointment, you MUST:

  • Have a mobile phone with SMS text capabilities or an email address
  • Have a valid driver’s license or form of identification

Once you confirm your appointment, you will receive a text message or email with check-in information. The online check-in process is mandatory in order for our staff to complete your testing at your scheduled time.

If you feel this is a true medical emergency, you should call 9-1-1 or go to your nearest emergency room (call on your way).

General questions regarding COVID-19 should be directed to 2-1-1.

The Iowa Clinic has been closely monitoring the evolving novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. With the confirmed cases of novel coronavirus reported in Iowa, we want to assure you that The Iowa Clinic is taking every precaution to keep our patients, healthcare providers and staff as safe as possible.

We, as well as other hospitals and healthcare providers in the area, have developed detailed safety protocols and procedures for handling reported cases of novel coronavirus in our clinics. We are also working closely with the Department of Public Health to mitigate risk to the public as much as possible.

Above all else, the most important things you can do right now are remain calm and educate yourself about how to stay healthy and safe. The Iowa Clinic will continue to closely monitor the situation to ensure everyone is as safe as possible within our clinics. The CDC is the best source for developing, up-to-date information.

Should I Be Worried About Coronavirus?

Older adults and people who have serious chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and lung disease are at a higher risk. In those instances, it is especially important to take extra precautions to prevent yourself from contracting viruses, including coronavirus.

If you are pregnant and have questions about how COVID-19 might affect your pregnancy, please visit this page for answers to frequently asked questions. 

Social Distancing

Social distancing is a public health safety intervention used to reduce the likelihood of transmitting communicable disease. Social distancing involves minimizing exposure to infected individuals by avoiding large public gathering venues, adhering to spacing requirements in the workplace, and following proper personal hygiene practices.

The goal of social distancing is to limit exposure to the coronavirus should there be a local outbreak.

The following strategies may be useful in conducting social distancing:

  • Adhere to public health hygienic recommendations by washing your hands after touching commonly used items or coming into contact with someone who is sick.
  • Proper hand washing involves scrubbing hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. (It takes about 20 seconds to sing Happy Birthday twice).
  • Avoid touching your face, nose, and mouth and avoid rubbing your eyes. Practice proper coughing and sneezing etiquette.
  • Properly dispose of anything that comes into contact with your mouth such as tissues or plastic eating utensils.
  • Avoid coming into contact with individuals displaying symptoms of illness.
  • If working in close proximity to other individuals, attempt to keep a distance of approximately six feet from the nearest person while working.
  • Avoid congregating in large public venues such as theaters or sporting events.

  • The CDC does NOT recommend use of masks or gloves in public in the U.S.at this time.

Preparedness

The following actions should be taken prior to an event that warrants social distancing:

Develop a family emergency plan that includes how they would be cared for if they got sick. Maintain a reserve of vital supplies such as food and water and prescriptions medications (at least a 72 Hour supply-Official Quarantine will be 14 days). Practice proper public health hygiene and hand washing techniques prior to the onset of an event.

Preventing Illness This Winter

Common hygiene best practices remain the best ways to prevent coronavirus and other viruses such as influenza. These include:

  • Washing hands for a full 20 seconds
  • Avoiding touching your face and mouth
  • Covering your mouth and nose when you sneeze
  • Avoiding shaking hands
  • Staying home when you are ill

Coronavirus Resources

The Iowa Clinic recommends the following trusted sources for further Coronavirus information:

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