With heat indexes in Wake County hitting triple digits, Wake County Public Health has moved drive-thru testing to its Sunnybrook Building parking deck, located in eastern Raleigh at 2925 Holston Lane. This will allow staff some respite from the heat, while still maintaining easy flow of traffic for testing.

“We recognize that our employees are performing these services in the elements, including extreme heat and rain,” said Wake County EMS Deputy Medical Director Dr. Jeff Williams, who is also supporting the Public Health Branch of the Emergency Operations Center. “As testing continues through the summer and into colder weather, we want to do all that we can to protect them from both the risk of COVID-19 and weather.”

Testing will run next week from July 27–28 and July 30 to Aug. 1. Appointments are available in half-hour intervals from 9 a.m.–3 p.m. This new timeframe still provides an extra hour of testing availability but shifts to an earlier start time to beat the heat and avoid afternoon thunderstorms.  

The service is free, but people must follow a three-step process to claim their spot:

• Step 1: Select the time slot that works best for their schedule by clicking on the “Sign Up” button here for the date they’d like to be tested.
• Step 2: Complete this registration form.
• Step 3: Print the completed registration form or have it saved in their email for access at the testing site.
   

Tests are reserved for those who:

• Have COVID-like symptoms, including fever, cough, shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, and loss of smell;
• Have been in close contact with a known positive case of COVID-19;
• Are healthcare workers or first responders;
• Work in high-risk settings like long-term care facilities, correctional facilities or homeless shelters;
• Are 65 years old or older;
• Have underlying health conditions;
• Are a member of a vulnerable or historically marginalized population;
• Have attended a mass gathering or protest; or
• Are a frontline worker in a setting where social distancing is difficult.
   

Candidates who fit the criteria for drive-thru testing should visit our website to schedule an appointment. By selecting a specific 30-minute window of time for testing, residents will avoid long lines and help the process flow smoothly for everyone.

Wake County Public Health plans to offer additional testing opportunities at different locations throughout the county in the coming days and weeks. Updated information will be shared at wakegov.com/testing.

In addition to Wake County testing sites, several community partners are offering tests. To find a testing site near you, click here.

Staying Updated
Wake County has made it easy for you to stay updated on the latest information about COVID-19. You can visit our multilingual COVID-19 webpage, which has a set of frequently asked questions to educate residents, a list of COVID-19-related closures and service changes, as well as contact information for people to use to ask specific questions.

The county is also sharing important information on its Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.