This news item expired on Sunday, March 27, 2022 so the information below could be outdated or incorrect.
To continue to bridge testing needs while testing demand remains high, Buncombe County Health and Human Services (BCHHS) in partnership with Buncombe County Emergency Services will provide a face coverings and at-home rapid COVID-19 test kits for distribution.
Please scroll down for testing options in Buncombe County.
Buncombe County Health and Human Services (BCHHS) Public Health has purchased a limited number of at-home rapid COVID-19 test kits to distribute while testing demand remains high. BCHHS is also providing face coverings for distribution along with the test kits.
The testing kits will be distributed in two ways to ensure equity and coverage throughout the county. First, Public Health has identified equity-focused community organizations that work in one or more of the following domains: 1) Service to Historically Marginalized Populations, 2) Service in Low-Income Areas, and/or 3) Service in Rural Communities. These organizations will receive test kits and face coverings that they will provide to their service population and/or community events serving their populations.
These partners will provide at least one (1) kit per adult but no more than two (2) kits per adult and a face covering per kit. Each test kit box contains one (1) at-home test, instructions for use, and guidance for testing and isolation and a KN95 face mask. These items are free and no identification is needed to obtain these supplies.
While all fixed-site distribution points are out of supplies, there are test kits available at many pharmacies in our area and through online outlets.
More Testing Options
HOME DELIVERY TEST KITS:
Buncombe County Public Health encourages the community to also seek other available federal and state opportunities for at-home test kits.
The federal government has announced that every household in the country can order four (4) free at-home kits through the newly created covidtests.gov website. Once ordered, kits are expected to ship in 7-12 days. The process is very simple, quick, and free. You can also call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489) to order your free COVID test kits from the federal government.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services also offers at-home PCR test kits through LabCorp, which are delivered at no cost via FedEx and returned to the lab for processing. Those kits can be accessed here: https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/about-covid-19/testing/covid-19-test-home-collection-kit-program
IN-PERSON TESTING OPTIONS:
Through an additional NC DHHS testing vendor, more in-person testing opportunities have opened to our community.
COVID Testing in Buncombe County:
UNC Asheville in cooperation with Buncombe County, MAHEC and Optum Serve Federal Health Services is hosting a COVID-19 testing site on campus every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from January 21 through February 20 in the Blue Ridge Room in Highsmith Student Union (2500 University Heights, Asheville, NC 28804).
The COVID-19 testing site will offer free nasal swab PCR tests to the public, including UNC Asheville community members.
No appointment is required. Pre-registration is recommended at https://lhi.care/covidtesting.
Hours of operation are as follows:
Friday – 1/21, 1/28, 2/4, 2/11 and 2/18 from 1-8 p.m. (on January 28- the test site will close at 6pm)
Saturday – 1/22, 1/29, 2/5, 2/12, and 2/19 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday – 1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13 and 2/20 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The closest parking is in P18, along University Heights near Highsmith Student Union (maps.unca.edu). More information here.
More resources for testing are listed at ncdhhs.gov/GetTested, including the Harrah’s Cherokee Center, 87 Haywood St., Asheville, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you know you need an appointment, confirm your testing opportunity by booking an appointment in advance.
Please do not visit a hospital emergency department for a COVID-19 test. If you feel unwell, it is important to isolate until your symptoms improve. Please do not visit a hospital emergency department for a COVID-19 test. If you feel unwell, it is important to isolate until your symptoms improve. Please keep yourself and others as safe and healthy as possible by doing your part: mask up and boost your health by being up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines.