CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The state will offer free coronavirus testing to members of minority and vulnerable communities Friday and Saturday.
The two days of testing will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Cabell, Kanawha, Marion and Monongalia counties.
Testing will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. No doctor’s order is required.
“If you come when there a lot of people in line, either return a little later or wait patiently,” said Lloyd White, executive director of the Marion County Health Department. “All you really need to do is have some form of an ID and a contact, so we can contact you with the result.”
White said people showing coronavirus symptoms should inform staff at testing locations as soon as they arrive.
“We want to make sure this is a safe event for both, the participants and staff doing the swabbing,” he said.
Six locations are scheduled to host testing starting Friday:
— 16th Street Baptist Church, 1647 9th Ave. in Huntington.
— Schoenbaum Family Enrichment Center, 1701 5th Ave. in Charleston.
— Windmill Park, 900 Ogden Ave. in Fairmont.
— Big Lots, 902 Fairmont Road in Morgantown on Friday only.
— WVU Coliseum, 3450 Monongahela Blvd. in Morgantown on Saturday only.
— Mountainview Elementary School, 661 Green Bag Road in Morgantown on Saturday only.
Residents coming for a test are asked to wear a mask or face covering. People conducting tests will be wearing personal protective equipment. Social distancing will be observed.
Members of the West Virginia National Guard will be assisting with the tests.