WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Hospitals in the Triad are seeing an increase in demand for COVID-19 tests as the delta variant spreads throughout the country.
Novant Health reopened its COVID-19 testing site at the Hanes Mall in Winston-Salem. It originally closed in April 2021, but officials said they started to see an increase in testing demand at their urgent cares and doctor’s offices so the site reopened on Aug. 30.
“I think the community is becoming aware that we’re here,” said Marcus Osborne, a director with Novant Health.
Osborne said they’ve been getting busier over the last few days.
“I think as we see the increase in the Delta variant in our communities, more people are being symptomatic, those that are traveling more, people are wanting to be diligent about their health,” said Osbourne.
Novant Health said, since July 1, they have seen a 69% increase in tests administered. Cone Health officials say they have seen an uptick in testing as well. Last week, Cone did 165 tests at North Carolina A&T. They did 349 on Tuesday, Sep. 8 alone. Last week in Burlington, Cone Health did 65 tests, 300 were scheduled for Wednesday.
The reopened Novant Health testing center at Hanes Mall is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Rapid tests are not available and it is first come, first served. However, the center is a drive-thru so you don’t need to even get out of your car. Test results come back in two to three days.
While testing is readily available, Novant officials are encouraging people to get vaccinated. There is a vaccination site at Hanes Mall as well.
You can find a COVID-19 testing site here.
You can find a COVID-19 vaccination site here.