News

County health department offers covid-19 test on Tuesday

By Lightning Reports, Published: May 24, 2020

The Henderson County Health Department has partnered with Blue Ridge Health to offer a covid-19 testing site for the public on Tuesday, May 26, from noon to 4 p.m. at East Henderson High School, 150 Eagle Pride Drive, East Flat Rock.

The testing site will be set up in the gymnasium at 85 Stadium Way. Everyone is urged to wear a face covering of some kind. If you do not have one, a face covering will be provided for you.

This testing is open to the community with emphasis on availability for the following:
• Persons who live in or have regular contact with high-risk settings (e.g., long-term care facility, homeless shelter,
correctional facility, migrant farmworker camp)
• Persons who are at high risk of severe illness (e.g., people over 65 years of age, people of any age with
underlying health conditions)
• Health care workers or first responders (EMS, law enforcement, fire department, military)
• Front-line and essential workers (e.g., grocery store clerks, gas station attendants) in settings where social
distancing is difficult to maintain.
• Persons with limited access to healthcare.

While North Carolinians enter into the “Safer at Home, Phase 2” re-opening, it is still imperative that everyone take responsibility for their actions as they experience the easing of restrictions. Everyone is encouraged to "Know Your W's!": Wear a face covering, Wait 6 feet apart from other people, Wash your hands often.
It is important to make sure the information you are getting about covid-19 is coming directly from reliable sources like the CDC, NCDHHS and Henderson County Public Health. For more information, call the North Carolina Coronavirus Hotline at 1-866-462-3821 (staffed by nurses and pharmacists 24/7), or visit the Center for Disease Control’s website for information and frequent updates at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.
Here's an FAQ.

Q: Is this a drive through test site?
A: No. You will need to park and enter the designated building.
Q: Are face-coverings required?
A: Please wear a face covering if you have one. If you do not have one, a face covering will be provided for you.
Q: Do I need an appointment?
A: No, this is first come, first served, while supplies last.
Q: Do I have to be symptomatic? Who can be tested?
A: Testing will be available for people who are not experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 who wish to be tested. Priority will be given to people who are experiencing symptoms or who have had close contact with someone who has tested positive. This testing is open to the community with emphasis on availability for the following:
• Persons who live in or have regular contact with high-risk settings (e.g., long-term care facility, homeless shelter, correctional facility, migrant farmworker camp)
• Persons who are at high risk of severe illness (e.g., people over 65 years of age, people of any age with underlying health conditions)
• Health care workers or first responders (EMS, law enforcement, fire department, military)
• Front-line and essential workers (e.g., grocery store clerks, gas station attendants) in settings where social
distancing is difficult to maintain.
• Persons with limited access to healthcare.
Q: What if I am very sick?
A: If you are very sick, please call your healthcare provider. If you need emergent care, call 911.
Q: Is there a fee?
A: Insurance will be filed to help cover the costs of the testing. However, no one will be turned away.
Q: What should I bring?
A: Your insurance card if you have medical insurance.
Q: If I can’t make it on Tuesday, May 26, will there be another testing day?
A: Yes, we anticipate being able to provide additional testing dates, these have not been determined yet. When they are, they will be announced through the media and posted on the Health Department’s COVID-19 webpage. We will attempt to hold them on different days of the week.
Q: Who do I call if I have questions?
A: The Health Department has a hotline number, 828-694-6019. Please only call this number if necessary.
General questions about COVID-19 should be directed to the hotline set up by North Carolina DHHS at 866-462-3821. Specific, individual healthcare questions should be directed to your healthcare provider.