To assist public health officials contain the spread of COVID-19 in overlooked, under-tested, underserved and/or uninsured communities, the Peninsula Health Department is partnering with Sentara Healthcare in offering free testing throughout the state of Virginia.
Testing is for individuals experiencing at least one COVID-19 symptom, living or working in a group setting, or an essential worker at high-risk for exposure. Symptoms or combinations of symptoms include:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Feeling feverish
- Body aches
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Loss of taste or smell
- Diarrhea
- In the elderly, there may also be a change in behavior and/or appetite.
Free testing priority given to the communities underserved and uninsured; those working high-risk jobs for transmission; those living in a group setting with high risk of exposure; public housing; homeless; and senior citizens with symptoms.
Testing will occur at four locations across our area:
June 5, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Williamsburg House of Mercy, 10 Harrison Avenue
June 6, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: New Zion Baptist Church, 3991 Longhill Road
June 8, 8 a.m.-12 p.m.: Toano Middle School, 7817 Richmond Rd, Toano
June 9, 1 p.m.-6 p.m.: James River Elementary School, 8901 Pocahontas Trail
Testing is limited and on a first come, first serve basis. Tents and tables will be set up.
Participants can choose between a “drive-through option” or “walk-up” option. Adherence to social distancing must be followed at all times. Testing event lines will cut-off 15 minutes prior to testing end time to help ensure each site wraps up in a timely manner so the team can travel to the next location. Those in line before that cut-off, will be seen as long as tests are available.
Testing is completely free and confidential. Sentara Healthcare staff perform all nasal swab testing. They will call all residents with their results, both negative and positive, within 72 hours of test collection. However, it may take longer in certain circumstances. Positive results are the teams first priority.
For more information, contact the Peninsula Health Department at 757-594-7069
Thank you to our community testing event partners: Williamsburg Health Foundation, James City County, City of Williamsburg, Williamsburg House of Mercy, First Baptist Church of Williamsburg, Grove Christian Outreach Center, New Zion Baptist Church, Sentara Healthcare and the Peninsula Health Department.