The Pitt County Health Department is encouraging everyone to keep COVID-19 safety in mind when gathering for the Thanksgiving holidays. Health officials continue to advise individuals to practice physical distancing and masking when mingling with large crowds, or among others who are not vaccinated. People, who are sick, should stay home. Vaccination is the best defense against COVID-19. Individuals are encouraged to get vaccinated now to help ensure adequate immunity by the Christmas holidays.
Pitt County Health Director, Dr. John Silvernail recommends that individuals, who are not vaccinated, have symptoms, or have been exposed to others who have tested positive for the virus, should test before they gather. “We have come so far and we are moving in the right direction to mitigate this virus that has completely changed our lives over the past 20 months. Taking precautions when gathering for the holidays can help us get back to normal times,” says Dr. Silvernail.
The Health Department has partnered with OptumServe to provide no-cost COVID-19 testing at the Greenville Mall, located at 714 Greenville Blvd. SE, Greenville, NC. Testing is offered on a drive-through basis in the Greenville Mall parking lot, located across from Wells Fargo. Currently, testing is offered weekly, Tuesday through Sunday, from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, with the exception of a half hour closure for a lunch break and with the exception of closure for the Thanksgiving holiday (11/25 and 11/26). The testing site will return to normal hours Thanksgiving weekend (11/27 and 11/28).
Appointments can be scheduled by visiting https://lhi.care/covidtesting. Individuals, who do not have internet access, or who are registering for a minor, can call 877-562-4850. Walk-ups are also welcome.
Anyone, who meets the testing criteria, can be tested at an OptumServe community testing site. This includes uninsured, underinsured, undocumented, and homeless individuals. OptumServe will generate a unique identification number for individuals who do not have a driver’s license.