Fayetteville Today

Cumberland County issued the following announcement on Match 23.

Beginning Tuesday, March 24, the Cumberland County Department of Public Health will conduct a pilot drive-thru test collection for COVID-19 by appointment and referral only. Test collection will be conducted on Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. while supplies last and staffing is available.

The sample collection will occur at the Public Health Center, 1235 Ramsey Street, Fayetteville, in the parking lot off Hillsboro Street.

To protect the health and safety of our staff and clients, test collection is by appointment and referral only. Appointments are limited so the department can manage its supply of personal protective equipment (PPE).

If you are uninsured, call 910-433-3638 to be screened and schedule an appointment for test collection.

If you are insured, please go to your private provider to be screened and tested for the flu. Once you receive a negative flu test, your provider can fax a referral for COVID-19 testing to the Public Health Department, which will contact you to schedule an appointment.

Before arriving at the Health Department for testing:

• Bring your ID to confirm your appointment.
• Help protect the public and our staff.
  • Do not arrive at the Health Department without an appointment.  We are unable to accommodate individuals without an appointment, including other persons in your vehicle.
  • When you arrive, stay in your vehicle. There will be staff available to guide you through the line and do the test collection from your vehicle.
  • If you are using other means of transportation, practice social distancing (stand at least 6 feet away from others), when you arrive.
• If you consider yourself in need of COVID-19 testing, you are declaring you should self-quarantine. You can expect to confirm your willingness to immediately be quarantined in your home for up to 14 days.
• If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or call ahead then go to the Emergency Room.

Only those who meet the following criteria should ask their doctor or local health department about being tested for COVID-19:

1. Have fever or lower respiratory symptoms (cough, shortness of breath) and close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case within the past 14 days; OR
2. Have fever and lower respiratory symptoms (cough, shortness of breath) and a negative rapid flu test

“Not everyone needs to be tested. It’s important for us to use our limited resources in the best interest of Cumberland County residents. This is an evolving situation and we continue to monitor current trends to stop the spread,” said Dr. Jennifer Green, Cumberland County Public Health Director.

Individuals can practice everyday prevention measures like frequent hand washing, staying home when sick, and covering coughs and sneezes. Community-based interventions can also help slow the spread of COVID-19. This includes measures collectively known as social distancing. Social distancing measures aim to reduce the frequency of contact and increase physical distance between persons, thereby reducing the risks of person-to-person transmission.

 

To reduce the risk from COVID-19, the following visitor protocol will be in place when visiting the Cumberland County Department of Public Health.

These policies will apply to all Cumberland County Department of Public Health locations, including WIC satellite locations in Hope Mills and Spring Lake. 

• Clinical patients and clients for medical and vital records, WIC and environmental health will be seen by appointment only. Call 910-433-3600 to schedule an appointment.
• Patients or clients may bring one visitor with them for their appointments. Any extra visitors accompanying a patient or client must wait in their vehicle.
• Screening of patients, clients and their visitors will take place at a designated screening area near the building entry and away from the waiting area.      
  • You will be asked a series of questions about your symptoms, travel history and whether you have had contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. You will have your temperature taken.
  • You may be asked to wear a face mask.

Visit co.cumberland.nc.us/covid19 for additional details.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, call Cape Fear Valley Health System’s nurses’ line at 910-615-LINK (5465).  If you have general questions about COVID-19, call 2-1-1 or the NC DHHS hotline at 1-866-462-3821.

Seek information from credible sources including the Cumberland County COVID-19 webpage at co.cumberland.nc.us/covid19 and the NC DHHS website at ncdhhs.gov.

For information on County services, call 910-678-7657 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

Original source can be found here.