A new COVID-19 testing site opens at PNC Arena in Raleigh on Friday, and although Wake County’s testing sites are closed for New Year’s Eve, there are plenty of other options in the Triangle.<\/b>
\nRaleigh, N.C. \u2014 A new COVID-19 testing site opens at PNC Arena in Raleigh on Friday, and although Wake County’s testing sites are closed for New Year’s Eve, there are plenty of other options in the Triangle. The mass testing site will be open from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. Pre-register here. Demand for COVID-19 tests is high as North Carolina records its highest daily case count yet and people try to get tested after Christmas celebrations and before gathering for the new year. The state Department of Health and Human Services reported 18,571 new coronavirus cases on Thursday \u2014 the highest ever seen. Wake County partnered with the state to open the mass test site after cars waited in line for hours this week at Wake County Public Health’s five testing sites. On Thursday morning, all same-day appointments for the day were booked, and Wake County said appointments for Saturday are already taken. Although First Night festivities are being held in downtown Raleigh with precautions, Dr. Cameron Wolfe from Duke Health is encouraging people to rethink New Year’s Eve plans, especially if it involves being in a crowd. A drive-thru test site will open at PNC Arena from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday. Pre-registration is required, but appointments are not necessary. The state Department of Health and Human Services website has a Find My Testing Place tool, which lists sites with Friday availability. Other locations open on New Year’s Eve in Wake County are listed below. Pre-registration at the provided links is required. Wake County is operating a total of five testing sites on New Year’s Day, but appointments are already booked. You can find another option by visiting dozens of other free testing sites open in the Triangle and across the state. This will also help you avoid lines. Some sites, like the Word of God Church on Rock Quarry Road, are far less busy than those offered through Wake County. The church is only minutes away from the Kidd Road site, and no appointment is needed. Results won’t come back as quickly, though, in 24 hours instead of 12. You can avoid leaving home altogether and order a free COVID-19 test kit online, although the kits won’t be mailed out until Jan.2. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control said when you should get tested depends on if you were exposed to the virus and if you’re showing symptoms. Those who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 should get tested 5-7 days after their last exposure to the virus. But, the CDC said people who are not fully vaccinated should get tested immediately when they find out they were in close contact with the virus. If the test comes back negative, an unvaccinated person should get re-tested 5-7 days later or immediately if COVID-19 symptoms start to develop.<\/p>\n