COVID-19 drive-through testing by appointment set for Dare County

Published 2:48 pm Wednesday, May 20, 2020

: This illustration, created at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reveals ultrastructural morphology exhibited by coronaviruses. Note the spikes that adorn the outer surface of the virus, which impart the look of a corona surrounding the virion, when viewed electron microscopically. In this view, the protein particles E, S, and M, also located on the outer surface of the particle, have all been labeled as well. A novel coronavirus, named Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China in 2019. The illness caused by this virus has been named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

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In an effort to increase testing for COVID-19, the federal and state governments are encouraging mass testing collection sites. In Dare County, no sites have been selected for a federally assisted testing at this time, however Dare County Department of Health & Human Services wants to provide community-based testing opportunities for county residents. Dare County has partnered with Mako Medical Laboratories in Raleigh to host drive-through COVID-19 specimen collections in Dare County.

The first collection event will be held Tuesday, May 26 starting at 1:30 p.m. at First Flight High School, located at 100 Veterans Dr., Kill Devil Hills. Appointments are required.

The event will be set up to provide a total of 200 tests. Dare County Department of Health & Human Services will receive test results from Mako Medical Laboratories and call individuals to provide them with their results within 72 hours of the event.

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This event is open to permanent residents of Dare County age 10 and older.

To schedule an appointment, call 252-475-5008.

This is not a free event, however, individuals with insurance will not incur any out of pocket cost as the COVID-19 test is completely covered, no deductible and no co-pays. All insurances cover the COVID-19 diagnostic test, including Medicaid and Medicare.

Participants are required to bring a government-issued identification card and insurance card.

Mako Medical Laboratories will work with anyone who is uninsured to assist with the cost of testing. More information will be provided to those without insurance when they call to register for an appointment.

The county advised that individuals who participate need to understand they are coming to a community-based testing site located in a public location and therefore patient privacy cannot be assured. All results will, however, be confidential.

Those with symptoms of COVID-19 should call their healthcare provider’s office; do not wait for this drive-through testing opportunity to get tested. For more information on testing locations in Dare County, visit darenc.com/covidtesting.

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