From WSJ Staff Reports
New hours have been announced for the COVID-19 testing site in Wake Forest, but site workers say the number of participants is less than they anticipated.
” The last few days have been very slow. Nothing like we expected,” said a site worker who did not want to be identified.
With little to no traffic early on New Year’s Day, workers were wondering why they were even open.
“We thought we would be closed today, considering how slow we have been but here we are and nobody is coming.”
Wake County is contracting with clinical laboratory Radeas. The testing site is located at 907 Gateway Commons Circle, and is providing free, drive-thru testing Monday-Saturday from 7 a.m.-2 p.m.
No appointment is necessary. The testing typically takes about seven minutes, and results are usually provided in 24-48 hours.
Testing is 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.
