We want to make sure that you are up to date and have the info you need to discuss testing for COVID-19 testing in our community, now that testing is more available and being encouraged for those who have symptoms.
Buncombe County Government and Western North Carolina Community Health Services (WNCCHS) will partner to offer community-based COVID-19 testing in the coming weeks for people who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. This is an important and necessary step in understanding and addressing the spread of COVID-19 in Buncombe County.
Due to historic and present-day inequities, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities are being disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 both locally and nationally. Buncombe County Emergency Operations Center’s Rapid Response & Recovery Equity Action Team is identifying the testing site locations based on an equity analysis reliant on relevant data and community input.
WNCCHS medical clinic staff will collect specimens from those with symptoms of COVID-19, send the specimens for testing through a commercial lab, and communicate with everyone tested when esults return. Buncombe County Communicable Disease nurses will contact those individuals with lab-confirmed COVID-19 to provide guidance and perform contact tracing. The Buncombe County Emergency Operations Center has made arrangements for safe isolation and quarantine lodging for residents who may need additional resources to limit the spread of coronavirus to others in their household.
Who Should Get Tested?
People who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should be tested for COVID-19. Only those who are symptomatic for COVID-19 will be tested at these sites.
COVID-19 symptoms may include:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
Those who live in Buncombe County are encouraged to use the COVID-19 Self-Checker to assess whether or not they should be tested for COVID-19.
What Are the Costs?
Testing is available to both the insured and uninsured, with no out of pocket cost. Those with health insurance should bring their insurance information with them to the testing site. Language access services will be available at all sites during hours of operation.
Where Can someone be Tested?
Special Community-Based testing
These community-based testing sites will be outdoors at the following dates and locations. This testing is specifically for those with limited access to a healthcare provider who is testing for COVID-19, financial barriers to obtaining a test, or those who have no direct healthcare access are encouraged to use the community testing sites. These sites are part of a continuation a long-term collaboration between the WNC Community Health Services and Buncombe County Health and Human Services.
Language access services will be available at all sites during hours of operation.
Hillcrest Community Center
100 Atkinson St,
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
1pm-4pm
Asheville, NC 28801
Buncombe County Schools Central Office
175 Bingham Rd, Asheville, NC 28806
Thursday, May 14, 2020
1pm-4pm
Ongoing Community Testing Sites
Increased testing to meet expanded needs of those who are unable to obtain COVID19 testing through their primary care provider and not able or eligible to participate in the Hillcrest and Emma Community testing events.
MAHEC Family Health Center at Biltmore Mercy Urgent Care, and Range Urgent Care have all expanded testing access. Please see a map here of COVID-19 testing locations and call before you arrive for testing.
If you have questions about COVID-19 testing in Buncombe County
Please visit www.buncombeready.org or call the Ready Team at (828) 419-0095, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
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