Weekly coronavirus testing events will soon be coming to the Chatham County community.

The Chatham County Public Health Department is partnering with StarMed Healthcare and the state Department of Health and Human Services to host two recurring and free COVID-19 testing events each week.

On Mondays, starting October 26, community members can receive either free nasal swab tests or $50 antibody tests at Chatham Central High School off N.C. Highway 902 in Bear Creek. The testing events will run from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. each week.

Additionally, starting on Thursday October 22, a weekly testing event will be held at Northwood High School at 310 Northwood High School Road in Pittsboro. This testing location held a similar event last week, which was also run through the Chatham County Health Department and StarMed.

“We are grateful for this partnership with NCDHHS and StarMed to expand no-cost COVID-19 testing in Chatham County,” said Mike Zelek, Chatham County Interim Public Health Director in a release. “Testing is an important component of our response efforts, and this initiative complements other testing options in our community. I have participated in one of these testing events myself, and encourage residents, particularly those who have been exposed to the virus or have symptoms, to take advantage of these resources and get tested.”

According to the county health department, test results for patients are sent in three days on average via text message or email. Community members hoping to go to these testing events can text the word “COVID” to 704-850-6996 to pre-register and complete your virtual visit to reduce wait time for testing. Registration can also be completed onsite or done by a healthcare provider.

StarMed Healthcare also partners with Orange County to hold several free testing events, with some occurring weekly and monthly.

For more information about who should be tested, and where testing centers are located within the county, visit Chatham County’s COVID-19 testing web page.

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