Where to get a COVID-19 test in Centre County as demand rises after holidays
More than a year after the state opened a free COVID-19 testing site in Centre County, demand for tests continues as the pandemic rages on locally and the omicron variant spreads across the nation.
Centre County announced Tuesday that the Department of Health’s COVID-19 testing site for the general public will continue, though it will have a new location in the new year and modified hours for the holiday. Wednesday, Dec. 29, from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m., is the last day to be tested at the site at the Nittany Mall, Sears Auto Center, 183 Shiloh Road, State College.
Amid a holiday and post-holiday rush for tests, the site will reopen on Jan. 4 at the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority, 253 Transfer Road, State College.
“We’re hearing that they are exceptionally busy. So the message is, if you need the testing, go early in the day,” Centre County Administrator Margaret Gray said during Tuesday’s Centre County Commissioners meeting.
The site is open for walk-ins for anyone who needs to be tested, regardless of their residency. Outside of the holiday hours it is open 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. There are no age limits for the free tests.
It was recently announced that President Joe Biden’s administration will purchase 500 million at-home, rapid tests to be distributed for free to Americans who want them, with the initial delivery starting next month.
A number of local testing options are available in the meantime, but patients might have to get a referral and schedule an appointment prior to receiving one. At-home and mail-in tests may be available online and in stores depending on availability.
Here’s where to get a coronavirus test in Centre County:
The Caring Health Care Network
Address: 18 N. Front St., Philipsburg
Referral required: No
Appointment required: Yes
Rapid test available: Yes
CVS
Addresses: 1630 S. Atherton St., State College and 815 N. Front St., Philipsburg
Referral required: No
Appointment required: Yes
Mail-in and at-home tests may be available at CVS locations depending on inventory.
Geisinger
Geisinger patients experiencing symptoms can schedule a COVID-19 test via the MyGeisinger patient portal, by calling their primary care doctor or calling the COVID-19 hotline at 570-284-3657.
Self-pay COVID-19 testing for travel or other activities is available at:
- Convenient Care Bellefonte, 174 Buckaroo Lane, Bellefonte (open 9 a.m.-7:15 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday)
- Convenient Care State College, Best Buy Plaza, 1630 N. Atherton St., State College (open 9 a.m.-7:15 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday)
MedExpress Urgent Care
Address: 1613 N. Atherton St., Suite B, State College
Referral required: No
Appointment required: No
Rapid test: Yes
Mount Nittany Health
Blue Course Drive: 1700 Old Gatesburg Road, State College. The site is available 4-7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. until noon Saturday for symptomatic pediatric and adult patients, by appointment only. Patients can access the test site by parking in the lower level lot and entering the lab located in suite 100.
The collection site accepts orders from any provider as long as they make the appointment and fax the order. To make an appointment, call Mount Nittany Health’s central scheduling at 814-234-6106.
Dr. Paul’s Clinic
Address: 1516 Martin St., State College. Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday. Open noon-6 p.m. Wednesday and 2-3 p.m Sunday.
Referral required: No
Appointment required: No
Rapid test available: Yes
Penn State
At University Park, testing is available from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday through Friday at the White Building for students living on or near campus and faculty and staff who are working on campus. Individuals who need to schedule an appointment should follow the link in their weekly testing email.
The White Building testing site will have limited hours around and during winter break, with spring hours beginning on Jan. 3. Details on the spring semester testing hours are forthcoming. The site will be open 9 a.m. until noon Dec. 29 and Dec. 31.
Rite Aid
Address: 1536 N. Atherton St., State College and 821 E Bishop St., Bellefonte. Testing is available drive-through only.
Referral required: No
Appointment required: Yes
Mail-in and at-home tests may available depending on inventory.
Finding mail-in or at-home COVID-19 tests
The following locations stock mail-in or at-home COVID-19 tests depending on inventory:
CVS
- 1630 S. Atherton St., State College
- 116 W. College Ave., State College
- 1101 N. Atherton St., State College
- 815 N. Front St., Philipsburg
Ollie’s, 1919 S. Atherton St., State College
Rite-Aide
- 1536 N. Atherton St., State College
- 510 Westerly Parkway, State College
- 821 E Bishop St., Bellefonte
Thompson Pharmacy, 2827 Earlystown Road, Centre Hall
Walmart
- 1665 N. Atherton St., State College
- 373 Benner Pike, State College
Wegmans, 345 Colonnade Blvd., State College
Sam’s Club, 381 Benner Pike, State College
