Categories
COVID-19 Testing Positivity Rates

COVID-19 Positivity Rates Week of May 15, 2022

GS Labs COVID-19 Positivity Rates

Throughout the week of Sunday, May 15 to Saturday May 21, 2022 GS Labs testing saw an average positivity rate of 20% across ten states (a 1% increase over the prior week) and nearly 6,000 rapid antigen tests. For the week starting May 15, 2022, the highest state positivity rate was Oregon with nearly 25% and the lowest was Colorado with just over 15% positivity.

COVID-19 Positivity Rates Over Average Index:

The average positivity rates of 20% across all locations but all but 4 metro areas had more than 20% positivity rates with COVID-19 Rapid Antigen tests conducted by GS Labs. The following states have seen a COVID-19 antigen test positivity rate higher than average:

  • Massachusetts COVID Positivity Rate: 20%
  • Missouri COVID positivity rate: 21%
  • Nebraska COVID positivity rate: 21%
  • New Jersey COVID positivity rate: 23%
  • Iowa COVID positivity rate: 23%
  • Oregon COVID positivity rate: 25%

Find the GS Labs Rapid COVID-19 Testing location closest to you for quick, safe and reliable testing.

Breakdown of States By COVID-19 Positivity Rates:

Below is a graph of COVID-19 positivity rates across GS Labs locations.

COVID Positivity Rankings By State 5.15.22

For journalists, media outlets or others looking to source GS Labs positivity rates, please contact david@leibowitzsolo.com for written approval.

Note: Most private and government organizations have stopped publishing positivity rates due to the increase use of At-Home COVID-19 tests. GS Labs is providing positivity rates specifically on antigen tests conducted by our trained staff across the locations we operate in. 

Categories
COVID-19 Testing Positivity Rates

COVID-19 Positivity Rates Week of May 8, 2022

GS Labs COVID-19 Positivity Rates

Throughout the week of Sunday, May 8 to Saturday May 14, 2022 GS Labs testing saw an average positivity rate of 19% across ten states and nearly 6,000 rapid antigen tests. For the week starting May 8, 2022, the highest state positivity rate was Iowa with nearly 30% and the lowest was Washington with just over 10% positivity.

COVID-19 Positivity Rates Over Average Index:

The average positivity rates of 19% across all locations but some metro areas had more than 20% positivity rates with COVID-19 Rapid Antigen tests conducted by GS Labs. The following metro areas have seen a COVID-19 antigen test positivity rate higher than average:

  • Portland, OR COVID Positivity Rate: 20%
  • Minneapolis, MN COVID positivity rate: 23%
  • Omaha, NE COVID positivity rate: 23%
  • Des Moines, IA COVID positivity rate: 29%

Find the GS Labs Rapid COVID-19 Testing location closest to you for quick, safe and reliable testing.

Breakdown of States By COVID-19 Positivity Rates:

Below is a graph of COVID-19 positivity rates across GS Labs locations.

COVID-19 Positivity Rates Chart 5.8.22

For journalists, media outlets or others looking to source GS Labs positivity rates, please contact david@leibowitzsolo.com for written approval.

Note: Most private and government organizations have stopped publishing positivity rates due to the increase use of At-Home COVID-19 tests. GS Labs is providing positivity rates specifically on antigen tests conducted by our trained staff across the locations we operate in. 

Categories
COVID-19 Testing Positivity Rates

COVID-19 Positivity Rates Week of May 1, 2022

GS Labs COVID-19 Positivity Rates

Throughout the week of Sunday, May 1 to Saturday May 7, 2022 GS Labs testing saw an average positivity rate of 16% across ten states and nearly 6,000 rapid antigen tests. For the week starting May 1, 2022, the highest state positivity rate was Nebraska with nearly 24% and the lowest was Washington with just over 5% positivity.

COVID-19 Positivity Rates Over Average Index:

The average positivity rates of 16% across all locations but some metro areas had more than 20% positivity rates with COVID-19 Rapid Antigen tests conducted by GS Labs. The following metro areas have seen a COVID-19 antigen test positivity rate higher than average:

  • Paramus, NJ COVID positivity rate: 21%
  • Minneapolis, MN COVID positivity rate: 21%
  • Boston, MA COVID positivity rate: 22%
  • Des Moines, IA COVID positivity rate: 23%
  • Omaha, NE COVID positivity rate: 24%

Find the GS Labs Rapid COVID-19 Testing location closest to you for quick, safe and reliable testing.

Breakdown of States By COVID-19 Positivity Rates:

Below is a graph of COVID-19 positivity rates across GS Labs locations.

5.1 Weekly Positivity Rates At GS Labs

For journalists, media outlets or others looking to source GS Labs positivity rates, please contact david@leibowitzsolo.com for written approval.

Note: Most private and government organizations have stopped publishing positivity rates due to the increase use of At-Home COVID-19 tests. GS Labs is providing positivity rates specifically on antigen tests conducted by our trained staff across the locations we operate in. 

Categories
COVID-19 Featured

What to know about testing at home.

At-Home COVID-19 Testing

At-home COVID-19 Rapid tests have been a great resource to keep stocked at your house if you begin not to feel well. It is a great resource to have as preliminary testing. While it is recommended to get COVID-19 lab testing to ensure accuracy, having at-home tests is still a great precautionary measure.  

These tests were hard to come by for a while, but they’ve become a bit easier to find more recently. Most COVID-19 at-home tests have around 80% accuracy rates. While keeping them around your house is great, please check the expiration date on your at-home test. These tests have a short shelf life, and when using them to test, it is always better to use multiple tests within a couple of days for accuracy purposes. 

At Home COVID-19 Test Expirations

Your tests will not go bad overnight, but experts say that the chemical components degrade over time, reducing the accuracy of the test. 

After administering your test, and if you feel it might be incorrect, find your nearest testing location where a licensed professional can administer the test for you. Testing at a lab can ensure more accurate samples and results.

If you begin to feel sick, be sure to stay home. Head to GS Labs to get tested for COVID-19 or Flu A&B to ensure you keep yourself and those around you safe.

GS Labs offers four types of tests: COVID-19 Rapid Antigen test, COVID-19 Standard PCR test, COVID-19 Rapid LAMP Test (NAAT-LAMP), and the COVID-19/Flu A&B Rapid Antigen (EUA) test. 

GS Labs provides COVID-19 testing to multiple communities throughout the United States. Our professionals are committed to making the testing process safe and convenient, delivering results to you as quickly as possible. 

Categories
Press

Joann Schaefer, MD, Joins City+Ventures to Lead Health Care Businesses

Dr. Schaefer’s Experience will Expand and Diversify Heath Care

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OMAHA, Neb. (March 28, 2022) – City+Ventures announced today that Dr. Joann Schaefer, former Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for the State of Nebraska and Executive Vice President (EVP) at Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) of Nebraska, has joined the company as President of City+Ventures Health. In this newly established entity and role, Dr. Schaefer will lead and expand the company’s emerging health care sector work.

“Dr. Schaefer brings a wealth of experience as a regulator, a physician, a thought leader in healthcare, and a former health insurance executive,” said Chris Erickson, co-founder of City+Ventures. “Her leadership and vision will help shape growth for patient and business services in the health sector, and ensure we best leverage our established and growing resources to best serve ever-evolving patient needs.”

“I’m thrilled to be joining the City+Ventures team to lead City+Ventures Health,” said Dr. Schaefer. “This is a pivotal moment in health care with large, complicated issues to be solved for delivering services to people. I’m excited to bring my experience to these efforts, growing and diversifying our lines of business in a people-focused model.”

Bringing decades of experience in public health, health insurance and family medicine, Dr. Schaefer will drive the company’s expansion diversifying patient and provider services. City+Ventures’ flagship health delivery organization, GS Labs, has tested more than 1.2 million patients across the country and employs thousands of health care workers. GS Labs utilized cutting-edge lab technology and operations savvy to expand to meet public needs in the COVID-19 pandemic. These resources and expertise will serve as the foundation to grow City+Ventures Health to serve more communities and patients.

As the EVP of Health Delivery Engagement at BCBS Nebraska, Dr. Schaefer worked to transform payment models to value-based care utilizing technology, such as predictive modeling and digital care management solutions, to assist members in receiving care. Prior to her EVP role, Dr. Schaefer served as the State of Nebraska’s CMO. She was the longest-serving CMO and first woman CMO in the Governor’s Cabinet and in the state’s history. In this role, she safeguarded numerous public health programs serving the most vulnerable, enacted “Smoke-free Nebraska,” and regulated the health care entities and licensees across the state. She addressed pandemics, mass vaccinations, use of strategic national stockpiles, natural disasters, domestic terrorism, and transformed licensing and other systems from paper to online and electronic formats. Dr. Schaefer’s career began as a family practice physician after graduating from Creighton University.

Dr. Schaefer and her husband, Phil Haines, a retired U.S. Marine Corps gunnery sergeant and security expert, enjoy exploring the world, boating and spending time with family members and friends.

###

About City+Ventures:

City+Ventures is a premier development and investment company focused on building companies and communities. With Omaha roots but regional and national assets, City+Ventures owns and operates a wide array of businesses, including automotive dealerships; carwashes; a private jet management and charter company; real estate management; and construction-related businesses, in addition to holding a real estate portfolio. In August 2020, City+Ventures’ proven track record of reinvention and financial success earned it the No. 71 spot on the Inc. 5000 Company list.

About GS Labs:

GS Labs is a leading provider of COVID-19 rapid tests across the United States. It began offering COVID-19 Tests in October 2020 with a mission to offer convenient and quick testing options, with same-day appointments and same-day results, helping patients “test today, know today.” Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, where it launched its first two testing sites, this private company has invested tens of millions of dollars to build a national operation, including establishing testing sites, hiring nearly 3,000 essential workers, and developing infrastructure to handle internal billing, compliance, communications, marketing in multiple markets, and the labs’ hotline, staffed by registered nurses. GS Labs passed a significant milestone in January 2022, when the company served its one millionth COVID-19 patient.

 

Media Contact:

Calli Hite

402-677-5387

chite@city-ventures.com

Categories
COVID-19

What you need to know about the newest COVID-19 variant – BA.2

BA.2 Omicron Variant 

Many restrictions for COVID-19 have been lifted across the United States, which has led to most places no longer requiring masks or proof of vaccination upon entrance.

BA.2 Omicron Variant came to the U.S. last week and is on track to displace BA.1 Omicron. This variant spreads 30% to 80% faster than the BA.1 variant. It has now been described as the most transmissible variant we’ve seen thus far, according to the World Health Organization official, Maria Van Kerkhove.

Luckily, the symptoms of the BA.2 variant do not appear to differ from those of the BA.1 variant, but because it is so easily transmissible was expected that cases would rise across the U.S. Dr. Fauci did not predict that there would be a big surge, but that cases would rise within the next couple of weeks. 

According to the CDC, this has held true as the BA.2 variant has caused 85% of all COVID-19 cases.

There is hope that the BA.2 variant will continue to show less severe symptoms, and coupling that with more testing and vaccination rates, the terminal numbers will stay low. Some of the most common signs and symptoms are a runny nose and fatigue. If you are unsure of your symptoms, it is best to get tested for COVID-19

If you begin to feel sick, be sure to stay home. Head to GS Labs to get tested for COVID-19 or Flu A&B to ensure you keep yourself and those around you safe.

GS Labs provides COVID-19 testing to multiple communities throughout the United States. Our professionals are committed to making the testing process safe and convenient, delivering results to you as quickly as possible. 

Getting tested often will continue to help slow the spread of COVID-19. 

Categories
COVID-19

Top Private Lab Reopens Indiana Testing Site As Need For COVID-19 Testing Continues

GS Labs Site Offers Various COVID Tests; Results In As Little One Hour

CARMEL, IN – As the need for COVID-19 rapid tests continues, one of the largest private testing laboratories in the nation is re-opening a testing location Carmel.

GS Labs offers rapid antigen tests, PCR tests, Rapid PCR and LAMP tests, and a combination rapid antigen COVID and flu test, all by appointment seven days a week at 1005 W. Main St., Carmel. While this is the sole site in Indiana, the company currently operates about two dozen labs in eight other states.

Having tested more than 1.2 million patients through February, GS Labs, headquartered in Omaha, is a leading provider of COVID-19 rapid antigen tests across the nation. So far this year, the company has performed more than 245,000 rapid antigen tests nationally. These tests have identified more than 53,000 patients currently positive for COVID-19, giving these individuals the opportunity to safely quarantine and avoid spreading the virus to loved ones and co-workers.

“Testing remains an important part of our nation’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr. Darin Jackson, GS Labs Medical Director. “Our tests provide customers with quick answers to make the right healthcare decisions for themselves and their loved ones.”

GS Lab’s offers two tests that are fully covered by insurance in the event the patient is experiencing symptoms or has had a recent exposure. This includes the rapid antigen test for $179 – which returns results as quickly as 20 minutes – and a PCR test for $229 that returns results in 2 to 5 days. Both tests have no out-of-pocket cost with accepted insurance.

Additionally, GS Labs offers rapid PCR and rapid LAMP tests for $299 each. These tests, ideal for travel or screening testing, are available with cash payment only. The combination rapid antigen COVID and flu test is available for $199, also with cash payment only. Appointments for all tests must be made online prior to arrival at https://gslabstesting.com/.

WHAT: GS LABS TESTING SITE OPENS IN CARMEL
WHERE: 1005 W. MAIN ST., CARMEL, IN 46032
WHEN: WEEKDAYS 9 A.M. TO 6 P.M.; WEEKENDS 9 A.M. TO 5 P.M.

If you are attending an upcoming gathering, there are steps you can take to be safer around others – including getting a test 1 to 3 days beforehand to determine your COVID-19 status. Other safety options you may wish to consider include:

  • Wear a well-fitting mask over your nose and mouth if you are in public indoor settings if you are not fully vaccinated.
  • Remember, outdoors is safer than indoors.
  • Avoid crowded, poorly ventilated spaces.
  • Avoid shouting and singing, especially in indoor spaces.
  • If you are sick or have symptoms, don’t host or attend a gathering.
  • Also consider getting a COVID-19 test 3 to 5 days after you return home from travel.
  • Even if your test is negative, it’s wise to reduce non-essential activities for a full 7 days after travel.

Reporters seeking B-roll opportunities or a Zoom interview with Dr. Jackson can contact David Leibowitz at 602-317-1414 or by email at david@leibowitzsolo.com

Categories
COVID-19

TOP PRIVATE LAB OPENS 3RD PORTLAND-AREA COVID-19 TESTING SITE

New GS Labs Site Offers Variety of Tests with Results in About 1 Hour

PORTLAND, OR – GS Labs, one of the largest private testing labs in the country, announced today that it has opened a new COVID-19 testing site in Portland to provide fast, accurate results to people needing critical medical information as the Omicron variant continues to spread.

The new testing site is the third Portland location operated by GS Labs. The new Portland location is at 2110 SE 82nd Ave. GS Labs also operates Portland-area locations at 10935 SW 68th Parkway and 12601 SE 2nd Circle in Vancouver, WA.

Having recently tested its millionth patient, GS Labs, headquartered in Omaha, is a leading provider of COVID-19 rapid antigen tests in Oregon and across the nation. So far this year, the company has performed nearly 235,000 rapid antigen tests nationally. These tests have identified nearly 53,000 patients currently positive for COVID-19, giving these individuals the opportunity to safely quarantine and avoid spreading the virus to loved ones and co-workers.

“COVID testing remains an important way to help contain infections,” said Dr. Darin Jackson, GS Labs Medical Director. “GS Labs now offers three locations in the Portland area – all open seven days a week – to obtain a variety of accurate tests with timely results to give our customers the best information to make healthcare decisions.”

GS Lab’s offers two tests that are fully covered by insurance in the event the patient is experiencing symptoms or has had a recent exposure. This includes rapid antigen test for $179 – which returns results as quickly as 20 minutes – and a PCR test for $229 that returns results in 2 to 5 days. Both tests have no out-of-pocket cost with accepted insurance. Additionally, GS Labs offers rapid PCR and rapid LAMP tests for $299 each. These tests, ideal for travel or screening testing, are available with cash payment only. The combination rapid antigen COVID and flu test is available for $199, also with cash payment only.

Appointments for all tests must be made online prior to arrival at https://gslabstesting.com/.

WHAT: GS LABS TESTING SITE OPENS IN PORTLAND

WHERE: 2110 SE 82nd AVE PORTLAND, OR 97216

WHEN: WEEKDAYS 7 A.M. TO 6 P.M.; WEEKENDS 9 A.M. TO 5 P.M.

If you are attending a gathering, there are steps you can take to be safer around others – including getting a test one to three days beforehand to determine your COVID-19 status. Other safety measures include:

  • Wear a well-fitting mask over your nose and mouth while in public indoor settings if you are not fully vaccinated.
  • Given the sustained infection levels in the region, we recommend that even fully vaccinated people wear a mask in public indoor settings.
  • Remember, outdoors is safer than indoors.
  • Avoid crowded, poorly ventilated spaces.
  • Avoid shouting and singing, especially indoors.
  • If you are sick or have symptoms, don’t host or attend a gathering.
  • Also consider getting a COVID-19 test three to five days after you return home from a trip.
  • Even if your test is negative, it’s wise to reduce non-essential activities for a full seven days after travel.

Reporters seeking B-roll opportunities or a Zoom interview with Dr. Jackson can contact David Leibowitz at 602-317-1414 or by email at david@leibowitzsolo.com.

Categories
COVID-19

TOP PRIVATE LAB OPENS NEW LINCOLN COVID-19 TESTING LOCATION AS OMICRON SPREADS

New GS Labs site offering variety of tests with results in about 1 hour

LINCOLN, NEB. – With the Omicron variant of COVID-19 still spreading in the community, one of the largest private testing laboratories in the nation is opening a new testing location in Lincoln.

GS Labs offers rapid antigen tests, PCR tests, Rapid PCR and LAMP tests, and a combination rapid antigen COVID and flu test, all by appointment daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends at 8633 Andermatt Dr., Lincoln.

Having recently tested its millionth patient, GS Labs, headquartered in Omaha, is a leading provider of COVID-19 rapid antigen tests in Nebraska and across the nation. So far this year, the company has performed nearly 235,000 rapid antigen tests nationally. These tests have identified nearly 53,000 patients currently positive for COVID-19, giving these individuals the opportunity to safely quarantine and avoid spreading the virus to loved ones and co-workers.

“Testing remains an important part of our nation’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr. Darin Jackson, GS Labs Medical Director. “Our tests provide customers with quick answers to make the right health care decisions for themselves and their loved ones.”

GS Lab’s offers two tests that are fully covered by insurance in the event the patient is experiencing symptoms or has had a recent exposure. This includes rapid antigen test for $179 – which returns results as quickly as 20 minutes – and a PCR test for $229 that returns results in 2 to 5 days. Both tests have no out-of-pocket cost with accepted insurance. Additionally, GS Labs offers rapid PCR and rapid LAMP tests for $299 each. These tests, ideal for travel or screening testing, are available with cash payment only. The combination rapid antigen COVID and flu test is available for $199, also with cash payment only.

WHAT: GS LABS TESTING SITE OPENS IN LINCOLN

WHERE: 8633 ANDERMATT DR. LINCOLN, NE 68526

WHEN: WHEN: 8 A.M. TO 6 P.M. WEEKDAYS; 9 A.M TO 5 P.M. WEEKENDS

 

If you are attending a gathering, there are steps you can take to be safer around others – including getting a test one to three days beforehand to determine your COVID-19 status. Other safety measures include:

  • Wear a well-fitting mask over your nose and mouth while in public indoor settings if you are not fully vaccinated.
  • Given the sustained infection levels in the region, we recommend that even fully vaccinated people wear a mask in public indoor settings.
  • Remember, outdoors is safer than indoors.
  • Avoid crowded, poorly ventilated spaces.
  • Avoid shouting and singing, especially indoors.
  • If you are sick or have symptoms, don’t host or attend a gathering.
  • Also consider getting a COVID-19 test three to five days after you return home from a trip.
  • Even if your test is negative, it’s wise to reduce non-essential activities for a full seven days after travel.

 

Reporters seeking B-roll opportunities or a Zoom interview with Dr. Jackson can contact David Leibowitz at 602-317-1414 or by email at david@leibowitzsolo.com.

Categories
COVID-19

DRAKE STUDENT-ATHLETE, REFUGEE OVERCOMING LOGISTICAL HURDLE TO SERVE AS GOODWILL AMBASSADOR IN BEIJING

Yiech Pur Biel is a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Refugee Agency and a member of Drake’s cross country team.

DES MOINES, Iowa — A Drake cross country runner could be one step closer to attending the Beijing Winter Olympics.

Yiech Pur Biel is a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Refugee Agency. He fled war-torn South Sudan when he was 10, and eventually made it to a refugee camp in Kenya without his parents.

Pur made history in 2016 by competing for the first Refugee Olympic Team in the 800-meter race at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Now, he’s invited to Beijing, but needs two negative COVID tests to enter the Olympic bubble.

The only problem? There weren’t any approved test sites in Iowa, Pur’s host mom, Katie Mortenson, told GS Labs.

After weeks of paperwork and correspondence with the International Olympic Committee, China eventually approved GS Labs as a test site, according to a spokesperson.

Pur took one COVID test Thursday, and pending the results of a second test, he will be heading to Beijing this weekend.

“Coming from a refugee camp, I cannot believe that I will become an IOC member in few days,” Pur said. “It’s something that I can be proud of, because tomorrow they, one of them, can be in that position and play a role whereby I can be a role model to other people too.”