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From YouTube: COVID-19 Q&A | Arlington County | January 20, 2022

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1. Why is demand for COVID-testing so high, and what is the County doing to meet it?
The County’s Curative testing kiosks continue to see an all-time high in demand – they’re currently administering an average of 8,500 PCR tests a week, nearly 3-times as much from early December.

A surge in testing demand is occurring nationwide. This is likely attributable to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant. Omicron means that not only do more people need testing as they may be exposed to the virus, but those frontline employees – like the ones who deliver tests, work at kiosks, and process lab results - are out sick in record numbers. These staff and supply chain-related shortages continue to affect Curative sites, much like they do with deliveries to our homes, schools, small businesses.

We are working as quickly as we can to open additional testing sites to help meet community demand - a new kiosk recently opened outside Central Library, and a fifth kiosk is slated to open in February. Additionally, the Virginia Department of Health website lists more opportunities for testing: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/protect-yourself/covid-19-testing/covid-19-testing-sites/

2. How do I get a test?
If you’d like a COVID-19 test from a Curative kiosk, book an appointment at their website, https://curative.com/. You can also visit the Virginia Department of Health’s website for a list of additional testing sites across the area – it’s available on our COVID-19 testing webpage.

Starting January 19, every home in the U.S. can order 4 free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests. No credit card information is required, and shipping is free. Visit https://www.covidtests.gov/ for more information.

Please avoid visiting hospital emergency departments and urgent cares for testing if you don’t have severe symptoms so we can save those limited resources for people who need them most.

3. Who should be tested?
Get tested if:
• You have symptoms of COVID-19
• You who have come in close contact with someone with COVID-19
• You participated in activities that are higher risk for COVID-19 exposure (e.g. travel, attending large events where social distancing is not possible, or being in crowded indoor settings)
• You have been asked or referred to get testing by your school, workplace, or healthcare provider

4. When should I get a test?
Get tested immediately if you’re showing COVID-symptoms orif a health care professional tells you to. Get tested 5 days after you’ve come into close contact with someone with COVID-19 or participated in activities that put you at higher risk of exposure.

Thanks for tuning in, and keep those questions coming. See you next time!