Mountain Community Health Partnership (MCHP) is excited to offer drive through COVID-19 testing. Initially, MCHP will hold two events across Mitchell and Yancey County. The first of these events will take place on June 3, at Celo Health Center. Celo Health Center is located at 116 Seven Mile Ridge Rd., Burnsville, NC 28714. Drive through hours will be from 11am to 4pm. The second event will be located at Bakersville Community Health Center on Tuesday, June 9. The hours for the Bakersville drive through will be from 10am to 2pm. Bakersville Community Health Center is located at 86 N. Mitchell Ave. Bakersville, NC 28705. MCHP will determine the need for additional dates and announce them later.
Anyone can take advantage of this event; you do not need to have symptoms. This testing can determine active COVID-19 infections. It does not indicate if you have previously been exposed, or infected. You can take advantage of this testing even if you have no symptoms, such as cough or fever. “Our goal is to continue to provide excellent health care services to anyone in need. Since March, we have provided daily testing services for COVID-19 at our Bakersville and Celo locations. Our drive through testing sites are meant to help make services easily accessible.” ~LaCosta Tipton, Nurse Manager.
Most insurances cover COVID-19 testing, with no cost to the patient. (Please check with your insurance carrier for more information.) MCHP staff asks that you bring your insurance card and have it available when you drive through. Testing is free for uninsured patients. MCHP wants to ensure that everyone that wants a test can have one. “As a community healthcare provider, one of the things that we can do to help keep our communities safe is to provide testing for the COVID-19 virus. By increasing our knowledge of the prevalence and spread of the virus in our community, we all gain important information that can help us make better informed decisions about how we go about our daily lives in this unprecedented time.” ~Tim Evans, Director of Grants and Business Development
When you arrive for testing, please follow posted signs and guidance from staff members.
The best way to protect yourself is by following the three Ws. When you are away from home, Wear a cloth face covering. Wait at least 6 feet apart. (Practice social distancing.) Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer.
