Wake County Partnering with Raleigh, Garner to Host COVID-19 Testing in Parks Next Week

PLEASE NOTE: THIS PROGRAM ENDED JUNE 30, 2021

​As the permanent COVID-19 testing sites continue to serve thousands of people each day, Wake County is partnering with Raleigh and Garner to add three new locations at parks starting Monday, Jan 25.

Wake County is collaborating with municipalities to offer free drive-thru testing at convenient locations in the ZIP codes seeing the highest rates of infection.

“Testing is key to fighting this virus and protecting our families,” said Eugene Chalwe, Wake County’s COVID-19 Operations Manager.

“We’re committed to working with municipalities and community partners to ensure anyone who needs a test can get one no matter where they live. You don’t even need a car at our drive-thru testing, you can simply walk up.”  

Wake County will offer testing from Monday, Jan. 25, through Sunday, Jan. 31, at the following parks:

The hours for testing are:

  • Monday, Jan. 25
    11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Jan. 26, through Saturday, Jan. 30
    8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Sunday, Jan. 31
    11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
     

For the latest testing times and to see all of our locations, check wakegov.com/testing. Use the “< >” symbols to scroll through the days of the week.

How do we test? Several tents and lanes will be set up in each park and you’ll pull up in your car. Staff will hand you a short swab, and you’ll be asked to circle it around in the lower part of your nose several times. Then, you’ll put the swab in a vial and hand it back to us.

How do I get my results? You’ll be given a card with information about how to go online or sign up for an email to get your results. Most results return within 24 - 48 hours.

Testing is available for everyone and especially recommended for:

  • People who have symptoms, including fever, cough, shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting and loss of smell;
  • People who have been a “close contact” to someone with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 (a case) within the last 14 days;
  • People with or without symptoms who are part of an outbreak response or contact investigation in high risk settings, such as nursing homes, congregate living facilities, correctional facilities, or persons experiencing homelessness; and
  • People without symptoms who believe they may be currently infected should consider getting tested (For instance, if in the past 2 weeks you were around many people who were not wearing face coverings and/or were not keeping a safe distance).
     

Testing is not recommended for people who have already had a positive viral COVID-19 test in the last 90 days and do not currently have symptoms of COVID-19.

Staying Updated
Visit Wake County’s multilingual COVID-19 webpage, which has a set of frequently asked questions to educate residents, COVID-19 vaccine information, as well as contact information to ask specific questions.

Also look for important information on Wake County’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.

Department
Health & Human Services
Category
Press Release