Local health department prepping for vaccine arrival; move to COVID self tests three days a week

Per the state, local health departments, including Moore County, will go to self COVID testing three days a week to allow staff time to transition to vaccination prep. Health Department officials stress that free, local testing will still be available five days a week. *(File Photo)*

LOCAL NEWS — According to the State Department of Health, the Moore County Health Department will now offer COVID-19 self-testing kits to adults three days a week beginning December 21. The self tests are being added as an option to allow local staff to transition to vaccination of frontline health care providers and first responders.

The new COVID-19 self-tests will be offered to adults on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays beginning Dec. 21. On these days, public health staff members at each TDH COVID-19 testing site will provide self-testing kits to adults who wish to be tested. Individuals will remain in their vehicles while completing paperwork and collecting their samples. Health departments will submit the samples for testing.

“We’re making this transition so our Department of Health staff can assist with administration of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines,” said Tennessee Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey, MD, MBA, FAAP. “State-run health departments currently collect an average of only 16 percent of all COVID-19 tests statewide, and our change will not affect the wide availability of testing through private providers in Tennessee. While the arrival of vaccines is welcome, it is imperative that we not let up on basic best practices and continue to protect each other by wearing masks, practicing social distancing and staying home when sick.”

Adults tested with the new self-tests will register and receive their results online. The self-tests are not approved for use in children under age 18. Children and adults unable to register online can still receive the standard nasal swab COVID-19 tests on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Test results may be available within 72 hours of arrival at the lab, depending on the volume of tests the testing lab receives. Information will be provided to participants at testing locations on what they can expect after being tested.

The Moore County Health Department will be closed and will not offer COVID-19 testing on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and well as New Year’s Eve and New Years Day.

The Moore County Health Department is located at 251 Majors Boulevard and free, drive thru testing will still be available Tuesday through Thursday from 8-11 a.m. at no charge for anyone who wishes to be tested. For more information, call 931-759-4251. •

{The Lynchburg Times is the only independently owned and operated newspaper in Lynchburg, Tennessee. We cover Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}