Free Coronavirus Testing Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Gov. Jim Justice announced that West Virginia is partnering with Walgreens and Fruth pharmacies to offer free coronavirus testing.

The governor said in a virtual press briefing that Walgreens drive-thru pharmacies at sixteen locations in Boone, Cabell, Fayette, Kanawha, Logan, Monongalia, Putnam and Raleigh counties are now offering free testing for COVID-19 as of Friday, Oct. 9.

Justice also announced that Fruth Pharmacies at twelve locations in the state will also offer free testing. Those counties include Cabell, Jackson, Kanawha, Mason, Putnam, Roane and Wood counties.

“Over the next several weeks, more locations will be added across West Virginia,” Justice said. “It’s just one way for West Virginians to get tested and stop the spread of this terrible virus, so take advantage of all this.”

Free testing at Walgreens and Fruth pharmacies are by appointment only.

Anyone from any county in West Virginia can visit these locations regardless of whether they are a resident of that county.

The testing effort is being paid for by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources. DHHR said it hopes to partner with more pharmacies in the state.

For more information on free coronavirus testing locations in West Virginia, click here.

State and local health officials have arranged for free testing in Boone, Lincoln, McDowell, Raleigh and Wyoming counties next week.

Testing is free, and people don’t need to have symptoms or insurance to get it. The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources does require identification, though, like a driver’s license.

Both the Cabell and Kanawha health departments said their staff are investigating at least five cases of COVID-19, all related to recent travel to the Myrtle Beach area.

This comes after the Preston County Health Department identified another cluster of positive cases earlier this week, which also were linked to recent Myrtle Beach trips.

Contact tracers in Cabell County are investigating the situation. The local health department advises anyone who might have the disease to quarantine.

This comes roughly a week after state health experts shared concerns regarding an increased potential for disease spread in the southern counties, following church outbreaks and a likely increase in out of state tourists.

The testing sites in southern West Virginia are at the following locations:

Monday, June 22

Oceana, Wyoming County: Berlin McKinney Elementary School from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Pineville, Wyoming County: Palisades Park from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday, June 23

Mullens, Wyoming County: The city parking lot at 316 Howard Avenue from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Beckley, Raleigh County: Beckley Raleigh County Convention Center from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Wednesday, June 24

Racine, Boone County: 446 John Slack Circle from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Thursday, June 25

Hanover, Wyoming County: 374 Lizard Creek Park Road from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Friday, June 26

Bradshaw, McDowell County: River View High School from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Monday, June 29

Hamlin, Lincoln County: Lincoln County High School from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Emily Allen is a Report for America corps member.

Tag: Free Coronavirus Testing

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