CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Editor's Note: On Dec. 21, Mecklenburg County announced their supply of at-home COVID-19 test kits being distributed at Charlotte Mecklenburg Libraries had been depleted. Any updates on at-home test kit availability will be shared on the County’s COVID-19 webpage, mecknc.gov/COVID-19. Individuals can also call the COVID-19 hotline, 980-314-9400, option 3, for updates.
Anticipating a future return, our original article is below:
Free COVID-19 at-home test kits will be available at select Charlotte Mecklenburg Library locations while supplies last.
Mecklenburg County Public Health, in partnership with Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, began offering COVID-19 at-home test kits earlier this year to residents facing barriers to testing like difficulty accessing local testing sites or inability to purchase an at-home kit online or at a nearby pharmacy or department store.
In December, access expanded to pickup locations at select libraries in the city.
“We just want to make it as easy as possible for folks in our community who may be experiencing symptoms, who think they’ve been exposed or need to take a test for travel purposes, specifically to make sure that we have as much access as possible," Dr. Raynard Washington, deputy health director, told WCNC Charlotte.
Due to high demand and low inventory caused by supply chain issues, the county is warning availability may be limited.
Mecklenburg County Public Health – Southeast
249 Billingsley Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211
Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Wednesdays: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library – North County Regional
16500 Holly Crest Ln, Huntersville, NC 28078
Mondays & Wednesdays: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Fridays: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sundays: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library - West Boulevard
2157 West Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28208
Mondays & Wednesdays: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Fridays: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library – Hickory Grove
5935 Hickory Grove Rd, Charlotte, NC 28215
Mondays & Wednesdays: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Fridays: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library – Steele Creek
13620 Steele Creek Rd, Charlotte, NC 28273
Mondays & Wednesdays: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Fridays: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library – South Blvd,
4429 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28209
Tuesdays & Thursdays: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturdays: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library – Sugar Creek
4045 North Tryon St, Ste A, Charlotte, NC 28206
Tuesdays & Thursdays: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturdays: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library – Mint Hill
6840 Matthews-Mint Hill Rd, Mint Hill, NC 28227
Tuesdays & Thursdays: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturdays: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
“We’ve tried to choose the library sites that have the largest amount of foot traffic, are in those areas where we know there’s more demand for testing relative to the needs and how COVID is spreading in those communities," Washington said. "This expansion that we’re doing helps us cover more ground in the county.”
Test kits are available via curbside pick-up at designated library branches and public health locations.
The kits (available while supplies last) are provided by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services for free and no ID or insurance is required.
Testing is still a key component of stopping the spread of COVID-19.
“You have to obviously identify individuals who have active infections thereby being able to disrupt transmission," Washington said. "People know they’re infected, the expectation is that they’ll then isolate in quarantine and not transmit the virus any further.”
No appointment is necessary; public health staff will offer kits based on a walk/drive-up basis. Since at-home test kits do not require clinical supervision, a prescription from a health care provider is not required.
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