October 5, 2020
Media Contact: Allison Balmes-John, Allison.Balmes@vdh.virginia.gov, 540-226-1461
Upcoming Events Offering Free COVID-19 Testing in October 2020
(Fredericksburg, Va.) – The Rappahannock Area Health District (RAHD), with the support of the Virginia National Guard, will offer free drive-thru COVID-19 testing each Wednesday evening throughout the month of October in the parking lot at Stafford Hospital (101 Hospital Blvd, Stafford, VA, 22554). Testing will be available from 4 to 7 p.m.
In addition to the weekly Wednesday events, RAHD will offer the following community testing events in coordination with Mary Washington Healthcare:
- Thursday, October 8, 4 to 6:30 p.m. at Zion Hill Baptist Church, 10411 Cooktown Rd, Spotsylvania, VA
- Saturday, October 17, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Hugh Mercer Elementary, 2100 Cowan Blvd, Fredericksburg, VA,
- Saturday, October 24, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Lewis and Clark Elementary, 18101 Clark and York Blvd, Ruther Glen, VA
“We are very pleased to offer opportunities for community members to receive testing for COVID-19,” said Acting Health Director Dr. Denise Bonds. “Anyone age 16 and over who seeks a test will receive one, and we particularly encourage anyone experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness to come and be tested.”
Testing is available at no cost to participants, and no prescription or health insurance information is required. The test administered will be the PCR nasal swab that diagnoses active cases of the virus. Results will be available for all participants approximately three days after the event.
All events will be drive-thru, and individuals seeking testing should be seated near a window of the vehicle. All in attendance are asked to wear a cloth face covering.
Community members seeking testing can call 540-899-4797 to register in advance. Links to register online are available at www.vdh.virginia.gov/rappahannock. Day-of registrations will also be accepted.
For more information on COVID-19 in Virginia, please visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus.
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MEDIA NOTE: Limited news media access to the test site is available ONLY by advance request and appointment by contacting Allison Balmes-John (allison.balmes@vdh.virginia.gov). Access will be escorted, for the purposes of limited photography and videography from a distance. These measures are necessary to ensure patient privacy and operational security. News Release 109 Governor Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219 ● www.vdh.virginia.gov