Dare County announces drive-through COVID-19 testing for local residents

A drive-up testing site located outside Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. [photo courtesy North Carolina Health News]

Dare County has partnered with a Raleigh laboratory to set up drive-through coronavirus testing for locals residents. The first event will be next Tuesday, May 26, at First Flight High School in Kill Devil Hills, by appointment only.

“In an effort to increase testing for COVID-19 the federal and state governments are encouraging mass testing collection sites,” health officials said in a news release. “Currently, in Dare County there have not been any sites selected for a federally assisted testing site, however, Dare County Department of Health & Human Services wants to provide community-based testing opportunities for our residents.”

Dare County has partnered with Macko Medical Laboratories out of Raleigh, NC to host drive-thru COVID-19 specimen collections in Dare County.  

The first collection event will started at 1:30 pm at First Flight High School located at 100 Veterans Dr, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948. 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 Macko Medical Laboratories and call individuals to provide them with their results within 72 hours of the event. 

This event is open to permanent residents of Dare County, ages 10 and older. 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. Macko 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.

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. To schedule an appointment, please call 252.475.5008. 

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, please call your healthcare provider’s office. Do not wait for this drive-thru testing opportunity to get tested. For more information on testing locations in Dare County please visit darenc.com/covidtesting.

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