CHARLOTTE, N.C. — North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, NCDHHS Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen and Mecklenburg County Health Director Gibbie Harris have spent days telling protesters and others who have attended large gatherings to get tested for COVID-19.
Testing is at an all time high in North Carolina. Unfortunately, the percent of positive tests is also up to 10% -- the highest it’s ever been. That number is the same over the past week in Mecklenburg County.
But on Friday, everyone who wanted and needed a test wasn’t able to get one. Channel 9′s Elsa Gillis was at an Atrium COVID-19 mobile testing site in east Charlotte and said some people were sent away because they were reaching capacity.
Resident Mike Collins told Gillis he showed up to the site 2 and a half hours before it opened.
“This is the first one where I actually got up earlier to come prior to it opening,” he said.
He said it was his third attempt to get tested.
“I went to others and the lines have been so extremely long that I couldn’t wait,” he Collins said.
In a tweet, Mecklenburg County officials acknowledged the issues some people were running into.
“Not all testing sites in Meck County have been able to accommodate tests for those who have attended mass gatherings/protests per updated state guidance,” the county said. NCDHHS said CVS Health pharmacies can if the appropriate info is put into their online system.
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Channel 9 has been hearing of long waits especially in the wake of health officials urging anyone who has been in a crowd or participated in a protest to get tested.
Eyewitness News reporter Joe Bruno, who extensively covered the protests, attempted to get tested twice before making any progress. During a call to Atrium Wednesday night, Bruno was informed he could not get tested because he does not have symptoms.
A visit to a mobile test clinic Thursday was unsuccessful. The mobile clinic at Our Lady of Guadalupe hit capacity in the early afternoon and dozens, if not hundreds, of people had to be turned away.
A security guard at the site said people typically line up to get tested hours before the sites open. The security guard said someone once spent the night in their car to ensure they could be tested.
Bruno eventually was able to get a virtual visit. A scheduler will arrange a test.
The process has been bumpy, as medical providers adjusted to Cooper and Cohen’s comments saying tens of thousands of people should get tested. Atrium, Novant and Tryon Medical Partners all announced they will now test protesters, regardless if they have symptoms.
[ ALSO READ: SC’s top health official concerned about coronavirus now more than ever ]
Atrium Health
A spokesperson for Atrium said if someone went to one of the protests, it’s possible they might have been exposed. Atrium is encouraging people to take the COVID-19 risk assessment on its website and consult with their physician or have a virtual visit to assess their risk. If appropriate, it will refer them to a testing center.
Results typically come back between 24-48 hours, according to a spokesperson for Atrium.
Statement from Kate Gaier, manager of Atrium Media Relations:
“In response to a request by state and local government to have COVID-19 testing available to those who participated in recent protests, Atrium Health is providing access to testing for individuals who were part of large crowds, such as a graduations, large worship services or protests/demonstrations. If anyone in the community believes they need a test, they should check with their doctor or primary care provider first or utilize a virtual visit, or call our Atrium Health line at 704-468-8888. Most of our Atrium Health coronavirus testing centers require a referral from a healthcare provider first. Generally, the preferred time for testing is 4 to 7 days following possible exposure, unless a person has symptoms of COVID-19, in which case testing is recommended as soon as symptoms begin.”
Atrium Health is also opening another mobile testing site at a church off Tom Hunter Road in the Hidden Valley neighborhood.
The site will open at 8 a.m. Officials said you do not need an appointment, but they are expecting people to line up well before they open.
Novant Health
A spokesperson for Novant said the health care provider is reviewing the latest guidelines by local and state health departments to determine its capacity to test people across their communities, regardless of their symptoms. This includes those who attended recent protests.
Statement from Megan Rivers, Novant spokesperson:
“At this time, we ask anyone who would like to be tested for COVID-19 to: take our online assessment at NovantHealth.org/coronavirus, call our 24/7 helpline at 877-9NOVANT or speak with your provider to determine the best course of action. We will help direct you to the best location for testing, as clinically necessary.”
Tryon Medical Partners
Tryon Medical Partners is also testing protesters, regardless of whether they have symptoms. Tryon has two remote testing clinics: 900 East Morehead Street and 630 Matthews Township Parkway.
A spokesperson for Tryon Medical Partners said before it does any COVID-19 tests, a doctor first assesses the patient. The assessment can be done virtually or by phone. Tests come back within 30 hours. People who want to be tested must be Tryon patients.
Statement from Tom Williams, Tryon Medical Partners spokesperson:
“If they are not a patient, and have participated in a protest or believe they have been exposed and want to come to one of our two Covid-19 testing clinics. they first register with the practice. For non-Tryon patients, who already have a primary care doctor and want to keep that doctor as their primary care doctor, we suggest they see their doctor and let them arrange for testing. There are many options around Charlotte for testing they can choose from. At Tryon, we only test our registered patients and those involved in our special Tryon Direct contracts with businesses to test their employees (many of these are done at the employers sites with a Tryon medical team).”
CVS
If seeking testing through CVS, county leaders said individuals should respond “yes” online when asked, “Have you been prioritized by your state or local health department for testing?”
To find a testing location near you, click here. And for how to register in advance for COVID-19 testing at CVS, click here. All patients must register in advance.
At noon on Friday, Atrium Health is opening a new mobile testing site at the Hindu Center of Charlotte at 7400 City View Drive, off East Independence Boulevard.
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