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I'm an Arlington resident, and have been out covering protests pretty consistently for the last several weeks. I don't have symptoms, but would like to get a COVID test to make sure I'm not asymptomatic.
Turns out that's pretty difficult in Virginia: https://dcist.com/story/20/06/16/covid19-testing-in-dc-md-va-suburbs-after-protests-is-hard/
Turns out that's pretty difficult in Virginia: https://dcist.com/story/20/06/16/covid19-testing-in-dc-md-va-suburbs-after-protests-is-hard/
Mostly --and this is per CDC / VDH guidance --you have to have symptoms or close contact with someone with COVID, a doctor's note, and a scheduled appointment to get a test in Northern Virginia. There are a few exceptions, like one-day no-referral, no-appointment testing events.
(In Montgomery and Prince George's County, the public testing options mostly don't require you to have symptoms, but you do have to make an appointment beforehand.)
The contrast with D.C., which has more than a dozen walk-up testing sites and new testing locations at fire houses across the city, is sort of eyebrow-raising.
One crazy stat: D.C. estimates that about 1/5 of its tests have been performed on people who aren't D.C. residents.
One crazy stat: D.C. estimates that about 1/5 of its tests have been performed on people who aren't D.C. residents.
Anyway! If you're like me and you're evaluating your COVID testing options, here are some useful references:
D.C. testing page: https://coronavirus.dc.gov/testing
D.C. testing page: https://coronavirus.dc.gov/testing
Maryland COVID testing locator (shows options statewide): https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/pages/symptoms-testing#siteapp
Virginia COVID testing locator:
https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/covid-19-testing/covid-19-testing-sites/
https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/covid-19-testing/covid-19-testing-sites/
Addendum: as I mentioned in the story, Arlington has another free, no-referral, no-appointment testing day coming up on Friday. Alexandria Health told me they also hope to do similar neighborhood events in future.
More details: https://twitter.com/Mega_Mew/status/1273023388756344837
More details: https://twitter.com/Mega_Mew/status/1273023388756344837
Worth noting that the last similar event in Arlington, which happened two weeks ago, ended early when the site ran out of tests. https://www.arlnow.com/2020/06/16/another-free-coronavirus-testing-event-will-be-held-friday/
Apologies, that's *three* weeks ago -- before widespread protests began, and before Northern Virginia was in the middle of reopening.
