The New River Valley Public Health Task Force will hold ongoing drive-thru COVID-19 testing on Thursday, June 4, at Blacksburg High School, 3401 Bruin Lane in Blacksburg. Both sites will operate from noon to 2 p.m.
These sites are closed to the public. Only those individuals with a letter of authorization from the Virginia Department of Health’s New River Health District will be allowed access to the sites, and only by appointment.
“We have administered more than 2,000 COVID-19 tests since beginning broad community testing a month and a half ago,” said Noelle Bissell, M.D., director of the New River Health District. “Testing continues to help us determine the prevalence of disease in our community, but remember that the best protection for each of us comes from personal precautions, including hygiene and social distancing. That’s how you protect yourself and those around you.”
For questions about COVID-19 or to request an appointment for testing, call the New River Health District’s COVID-19 public health call center at 540-267-8240. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. After hours, leave a message.
“The task force has created a mobile, flexible and scalable testing engine that can be deployed across the New River Valley, and it has helped us prevent COVID-19 from overloading our hospitals or compromising our public safety systems and services,” said Blacksburg Police Chief Anthony Wilson.
To lower the risk of spreading respiratory infections, including COVID-19, the Virginia Department of Health encourages everyone to stay home as much as possible, especially if you are at higher risk of serious illness. If you must go out in public, wear a cloth face covering; sty home if you are sick; avoid contact with sick people; cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing; wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available; avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces; call your doctor if you are experiencing symptoms; practice social distancing. Maintain at least six feet of space between yourself and other individuals when out in public; and avoid close contact with crowds of any size, and avoid any crowd of more than 10 people.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information online, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/new-river, www.nrvroadtowellness.com, www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus and www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.
