2 new COVID-19 testing sites opened in Centre County. Here’s how to get tested
With more than 2,000 cases reported in Centre County six months into the COVID-19 pandemic, residents now have two more options for free coronavirus testing.
Two new drive-thru test sites opened Friday — at the Rite Aid at 1536 N. Atherton St. in State College and at the Nittany Mall. Each location will conduct COVID-19 testing at no charge to patients, using self-swab nasal tests.
Anyone 18 or older, including those who are not showing symptoms, is eligible for testing at Rite Aid, but preregistration is required. To make an appointment, visit riteaid.com. The site will be open from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
The state Department of Health will manage the second no-cost testing site, located in front of the former Macy’s at the Nittany Mall. The site will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and Tuesday through Oct. 3.
This pop-up testing location will be able to accommodate up to 500 people per day to all ages, including those who are not showing symptoms of illness. Insurance is not necessary to receive a test, and results are expected in 24-48 hours.
Patients are asked to bring a photo ID or insurance card to the site, and registration will be conducted upon arrival.
The health department signed a contract with AMI Expeditionary Healthcare to provide testing in communities across Pennsylvania. AMI will deploy teams to perform the community testing.
Last week, Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine announced that free testing sites would operate in Centre and Columbia counties to contain the rapid rise in COVID-19 cases.
“Since the beginning of September, we have seen an increase of 1,109 cases in Centre County and 173 cases in Columbia County, which gives us significant cause for concern,” Levine said. “These testing sites will be open to anyone who feels they need a test. It is important that even people with no symptoms who test positive isolate and quarantine to stop the spread of COVID-19.”
Individuals who are tested should self-isolate while they await test results. For those individuals who live with other people, they should self-isolate in a private room and use a private bathroom if possible. Whoever else lives in the home with the individual awaiting test results should also stay at home. The DOH has additional instructions for individuals waiting for a COVID-19 test result.
Centre County reported 29 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, according to the DOH. This brings the county’s total to 2,231.
This story was originally published September 26, 2020 at 10:21 AM.
