Free coronavirus test? Everyone living in this Colorado county can get one

Amid the shortage of tests for COVID-19 in the U.S., one company is paying for everyone in this Colorado county to get tested.

United Biomedical/c19 is paying for all 8,200 residents in San Miguel County to get screened twice using blood tests, with approval from the Food and Drug Administration, according to Colorado Public Radio.

“This is a mental health issue. People are isolated, people are scared… What they need is information and transparency. This is about empowering people,” Lou Reese, co-CEO of United Biomedical/c19, told CPR.

San Miguel County issued an order on Wednesday for residents to shelter in place until at least April 3, according to The Denver Post.

The first confirmed case in the county was reported on Thursday, according to a San Miguel County news release.

The county seat is Telluride, home to the popular Telluride Ski Resort, which is closed, the newspaper reported.

States hardest hit by coronavirus, including New York, Californi and Washington, are facing a shortage of tests, according to The New York Times.

The New York City Health Department told doctors to only test patients “in need of hospitalization” and tell those with mild symptoms to quarantine at home, The New York Times reported.

This story was originally published March 20, 2020 at 6:50 PM with the headline "Free coronavirus test? Everyone living in this Colorado county can get one."