HUNTINGTON, West Virginia. The Cabell-Huntington Health Department is expanding its COVID-19 response as COVID-19 community transmission remains high in Cabell County. In the effort to keep the community safe, the Cabell-Huntington Health Department has increased both contact tracing capacity and free community testing opportunities.
To alleviate long lines at some testing centers and to enhance the testing done at multiple testing sites already available, an additional testing site has opened on Marshall University’s campus in a student parking lot located at 1801 6th Ave. This is a drive-through testing site that provides the PCR nasal swab test, and it is free to the community. The hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This testing is in addition to the free drive-through COVID PCR saliva testing that is still available on the health department parking lot at 703 7th Ave.
Though case contact tracing efforts have increased, there are proactive steps you can take if you get tested and are awaiting results or have tested positive and are awaiting further direction from the health department. These steps include the following:
- Self-isolate, as this protects others from becoming sick with COVID-19.
- Contact your health care provider to discuss possible treatments.
- Monitor your symptoms and seek emergency care if you have:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone
- Other worsening or new symptoms you discuss with your health care provider.
- Avoid going to work or school while you are waiting for results.
For more information on testing and COVID-19 guidance, visit https://cabellhealth.org/covid19/.
