Harrisonburg partnering with VDH, Sentara to expand COVID-19 testing

The Virginia Department of Health and Sentara Healthcare, in partnership with the City of Harrisonburg, will bring a mobile COVID-19 testing effort to two neighborhoods in the coming days focused on increasing the amount of testing available in diverse communities.

Up to 100 tests will take place combined in the Mosby Court and Northeast neighborhoods on Saturday, May 2. The effort, which has already been conducted in other culturally diverse communities in Virginia, will help VDH gain a hyper-focused view on how different communities are being impacted by COVID-19. It also will help individuals who may otherwise not have easy access to tests understand how COVID-19 may be impacting their household.

“It is very important that residents in these communities take advantage of this free COVID-19 testing,” Harrisonburg Mayor Deanna Reed said. “There will be interpreters on hand to help you with your questions, so please do not hesitate to come out if you need more information. We will only get through this if we all work together. Taking part in this weekend’s effort is a key way of moving us in the right direction when it comes to testing and having a better understanding of what is happening in our community.”

Testing will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for residents of the two communities.

Individuals should have not been tested before, and should be experiencing at least one of these COVID-19 symptoms: cough, shortness of breath, fever and diarrhea.

Only one person in each household will be allowed to be tested.