NEWPORT NEWS — The Hampton & Peninsula Health Districts (Districts) have announced that they will start offering weekly COVID-19 rapid testing clinics for area residents.
Beginning tomorrow (Friday, March 4), the Districts will offer these clinics each Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at both the Peninsula Health District (416 J. Clyde Morris Blvd., Newport News) and Hampton Health District (3130 Victoria Blvd., Hampton) locations.
The Districts noted that these tests are delivered by appointment only. Walk-ins will be accepted only if there is an existing appointment slot available. Additionally, those who choose to walk-in should be aware that they may be turned away or experience an extended wait time.
Appointments will be scheduled for residents ages 5 years and older and will only remain available while supplies last. Residents are encouraged to call (757) 594-8482 to schedule an appointment.
The Districts, which service municipalities on the Hampton Roads Peninsula including the Historic Triangle, chose to start holding these clinics as a result of an increased demand for testing but with limited testing options available to community members.
In addition to these clinics, Pres. Biden announced during his State of the Union address on Tuesday, March 1 that, starting next week, American households can order an additional four free at-home rapid tests through the COVIDTests.gov website.
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) recommends COVID-19 testing for the following:
- Those who participate in activities that prove greater risk for COVID-19 exposure (e.g. traveling, large events or crowded indoor settings where social distancing is not possible)
- Residents who have been referred for testing by their healthcare provider
- Those who are not fully vaccinated and have either traveled or plan to travel
- People who are not considered fully vaccinated (two weeks following either the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines or following the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine) and plan to visit others who are consider at high risk of developing severe COVID-19
- Those who wish for surveillance testing
All departments emphasize that the best way to prevent serious illness or death from COVID-19 is for residents to be fully vaccinated.
For more information on COVID-19 testing or check your symptoms, please visit the website for the VDH.