February 9, 2022
Media Contact: Linda Scarborough, linda.scarborough@vdh.virginia.gov
Southside and Pittsylvania-Danville Health Districts Offering Free COVID-19 Testing
(DANVILLE, Va.) — The Southside and Pittsylvania-Danville and Southside health districts will offer free Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing for COVID-19 as part of the Increasing Community Access to Testing (ICATT) partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is receiving support from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ICATT program to open these new testing locations. ICATT partners with pharmacies and commercial laboratories nationwide to provide testing resources to underserved communities at no-cost to the public. Federally contracted vendor, eTrueNorth, will operate these sites in collaboration with VDH.
“Our health districts are fortunate to be able to partner with integral agencies and organizations at the forefront of vital public health initiatives,” said Southside and Pittsylvania-Danville Health Districts Director Scott J. Spillmann, MD, MPH. “It is through these partnerships that we are able to bring necessary healthcare services, such as COVID-19 testing, to those locations most convenient and accessible to meet the needs within our community.”
The testing will be offered in Gretna and Chase City and will be available in the health districts for a three-week period. PCR test results are usually available within a few days, and are very effective in detecting an active COVID-19 infection, even if asymptomatic.
SCHEDULE:
Gretna Drug Company – 108 Vaden Drive, Gretna
To schedule an appointment for this location during the following dates, visit www.doineedacovid19test.com/Gretna_VA_16395.html
February 14 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
February 15-19 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Estes Community Center – 316 N. Main St., Chase City
To schedule an appointment for this location during the following dates, visit
www.doineedacovid19test.com/ChaseCity_VA_16396.htmlFebruary 21 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
February 22-25 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
VDH recommends COVID-19 testing for the following people:
- People who have symptoms of COVID-19
- People who have come into close contact with someone with COVID-19 should be tested to check for infection at least 5 days after they last had close contact with someone with COVID-19. The date of the last close contact is considered day 0
- People who are not up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines who are prioritized for expanded community screening for COVID-19
- People regardless of vaccination status who have been asked or referred to get testing by their school, workplace, healthcare provider, state, tribal, local, or territorial health department
- People who plan to travel or who have recently returned from travel with some exceptions for fully vaccinated people
- If possible, people who participate in activities that are at higher risk for COVID-19 exposure (e.g. attending large events where social distancing is not possible, or being in crowded indoor settings)
- If possible, people who plan to visit someone at high-risk for developing severe COVID-19
Walk-ins are welcome and will be accommodated as time and supply allow. To see a complete list of locations and make an appointment, visit https://doineedacovid19test.com/ or call 1-800-635-8611.
To anonymously report a positive result or to download COVIDWISE, the free exposure notifications app, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/covidwise. To learn more about testing, find additional testing locations and to find out what to do after a test, visit the VDH testing page.