Where to Get Tested in Wake County
The highly contagious delta variant, as well as seasonal allergies and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) that have some of the same symptoms of COVID-19 are likely the reasons testing for COVID-19 is rapidly increasing throughout North Carolina.
Here are some pointers on COVID-19 testing in Wake County.
Please Do Not
Do not call 911 or go to an emergency department if you simply need a COVID-19 test. Going to emergency departments and calling 911 are ways to access emergent care when you have a life-threatening issue. They do not provide COVID-19 testing to those who are mildly ill, have no symptoms or had an exposure to a known COVID-positive person.
Free Testing Locations
Wake County Health & Human Services Locations – Here are their current locations offering drive-thru testing 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Visit their website for updates.
- Wake County Southern Regional Center: 130 N. Judd Parkway, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
- Wake County Northern Regional Center: 350 E. Holding Ave., Wake Forest, NC 27587
- Wake County Eastern Regional Center: 1002 Dogwood Drive, Zebulon, NC 27597
- Vision Church RDU: 5808 Departure Drive, Raleigh, NC 27616
- Wake County Health & Human Services Center (Swinburne Building): 2845 Kidd Road, Raleigh, NC 27610
Walgreens, CVS, etc. – Go to their websites, find the location that is most convenient for you and follow the instructions on the website to make an appointment or walk-in (depending on the pharmacy’s process).
Additional Testing Locations
Urgent Care Locations and Clinics/Doctor’s Offices – There are many urgent care locations throughout Wake County. WakeMed has quite a few. Urgent care centers as well as some medical clinics and primary care practices offer COVID-19 testing, but keep in mind that these providers will likely charge a copay for your visit. These are really good options, though, when you need a COVID-19 test AND you are looking for help with symptom relief.
In-home Test Kits
Tests that you can administer at home are available to purchase at local pharmacies and at no-cost through the state.
Check with Your Employer
Some employers require employees who have symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed to a known COVID-19-positive person to be tested before they can come to work. If this happens to you, check with your employer about the company’s testing requirements. Some organizations may not accept test results from in-home test kits. Others may. That’s why it is best to check with your employer before testing.
