The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced a new list of compiled sample collection and COVID-19 testing locations across the state.

The department shared the list on its testing web page on Thursday, an effort to help North Carolinians who may be experiencing symptoms or have been recently exposed to the coronavirus. As of Friday, the list includes more than 200 collection sites in 54 counties and more are expected to be added as they become verified by the state.

Sites on the list include local health departments, hospitals, pharmacies, retail locations and more. Some testing sites are federally funded, meaning residents will not have to pay for the administered test.

The state health department recommends those who are experiencing mild symptoms, like a cough or fever, to call a health care provider before seeking testing or further medical care. It also says those who are experiencing severe symptoms, like difficulty breathing or blue lips, to call 911 and seek immediate medical care instead of relying on testing.

State health officials and Governor Roy Cooper said on Thursday the state is continuing to hit testing benchmarks and remains stable one week into its Phase 1 of gradual reopening. But they also said further steps need to be taken in testing and tracing the coronavirus in order to further open up North Carolina.

“A key factor in our readiness to move to Phase 2 is testing,” said Cooper at a televised press conference. “Statewide, we’ve doubled the number of tests in recent weeks, which is good, but we need to do more. Testing has to be widely available at low cost or free if we’re going to keep people safe and reignite our economy.”

NCDHHS reminded residents some of the locations require appointments or a referral from a health care provider in order to get tested. It also said locations are subject to change, as some new pop-up testing sites open and close.

To learn more about COVID-19 testing in North Carolina, visit the state Department of Health and Human Services website.

Photo via AP Photo/Brian Inganga.

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