Communicable Diseases

Linn County Public Health is responsible for case management of diagnosed reportable communicable diseases in Linn County.

Communicable Disease Services

• STI testing and treatment (Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Herpes, and Trichomoniasis)
• HIV testing
• Hepatitis C testing
• Hepatitis A&B vaccinations
• Fecal tests for suspected outbreaks of illness causing diarrhea or vomiting

Surveillance

The Communicable Disease Program also tracks non-STI diseases including: Pertussis (Whooping Cough), Meningitis, Salmonella, E. coli, Cryptosporidiosis, Hepatitis, Lyme, Shigella, Giardia, Campylobacter, Rabies, and Tuberculosis. In addition, clinical services staff track and investigate outbreaks or clusters of communicable diseases occurring in Linn County.

Test Iowa

Free COVID-19 (PCR) testing kits are available through Test Iowa. Test Iowa is a partnership between the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and the State Hygienic Lab (SHL). There are many ways to get your free COVID-19 home testing kit. 

Requesting a Test Kit:

• Online at www.testiowa.com
• By phone at 1-833-286-8378
• At Linn County Public Health or another registered pick-up site. Linn County Public Health is open Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is located at 1020 6th St. SE Cedar Rapids, IA 52401.

Returning Your Specimen:

• Completed kits can be shipped via UPS with a prepaid label to the State Hygienic Lab.
• Completed kits may be dropped off at Linn County Public Health in the first floor lobby, located at 1020 6th St. SE Cedar Rapids, IA 52401. Please use the brown drop-off containers under the windows. The building is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays. Samples are picked up Monday-Friday at 2 p.m. Kits must be packaged per directions included in the test kit.
• Completed kits can be dropped off directly to the State Hygienic Lab at 2490 Crosspark Road in Coralville, Iowa. Sample receiving window hours are Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to noon, and closed on Sunday. 
• Once at the lab, it generally takes 24 to 48 hours to receive testing results.