The Johnson County Department of Health and Environment is sharing the following COVID-19-related updates:

• Beginning today, a new COVID-19 testing site is available at Theatre in the Park, 7710 Renner Road, Shawnee. This site is managed by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, in coordination with Johnson County Park and Recreation District. Appointments for PCR (saliva) tests are available 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., seven days a week.

Beginning Friday, Jan. 21, another new COVID-19 testing site, also managed by KDHE, is available at the Roeland Park Community Center, 4850 Rosewood Drive, Roeland Park. Appointments for testing can be made starting Jan. 20^th after 5 p.m. Testing is available Monday – Thursday, 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m., Friday 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturday 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Current testing sites at the Church of the Resurrection and Johnson County Community College have expanded testing hours. Appointments are available 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday – Saturday.

• Self-reporting of at-home COVID-19 test results is now available. Johnson County residents can voluntarily report results (positive or negative) of their at-home test at jocogov.org/ReportResults. The federal government has a new website where people in the U.S. can order free at-home COVID-19 test kits. The website is available at covidtests.gov/.

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is offering additional guidance, which includes the recommendation that everyone over age 2, regardless of vaccination status, wear the most protective mask that fits well and can be worn consistently in public indoor settings, especially in areas where COVID-19 transmission remains high. More information is available here: Types of Masks and Respirators | CDC

“Between the federal government, KDHE and Johnson County, we are pleased that our residents have more convenient tools to help them get tested and report their at-home tests,” said Sanmi Areola, Ph.D., JCDHE director. “Remember, the best things you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones are to get vaccinated and boosted, stay home if you were exposed or feel sick, get tested and wear an efficient mask; masks offer protection against all variants.”

As of Jan. 19, the incidence rate in Johnson County was 1,835 positive cases per 100,000 people in the past seven days. The percent positivity rate was 29.8%. Get additional COVID-19-related data for Johnson County.

JCDHE offers vaccinations to eligible persons by appointment at its Mission COVID-19 vaccination clinic, located at 6000 Lamar Ave. Appointments can be scheduled at jocogov.org/coronavirus.

Those with questions can call 913-715-2819 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, or send an email to jcdhe@jocogov.org. Emails are answered 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Spanish speakers are available to answer calls or emails. People can search for a nearby vaccine provider by visiting vaccines.gov, texting their ZIP code to 438829 or calling   1-800-232-0233.