Buncombe coronavirus test sites closed March 20, maybe permanently

The Citizen Times is providing this story for free to readers because of the need for information about the coronavirus. We encourage you to further support local journalism by subscribing.

ASHEVILLE - Buncombe's drive-thru COVID-19 testing sites did not open March 20, and county officials said it's possible the sites are closed for good.

Testing at the two locations — Biltmore Church in Arden and the UNC Asheville Campus — first became available March 17. Officials said the sites would operate weekdays as supplies allowed.

But midday March 20 the county announced on Twitter that they would not be opening that day.

Interim health director Dr. Jennifer Mullendore said in a briefing that afternoon that the role of testing would change as the area begins to see community-spread of COVID-19.

Related: COVID-19 positive traveler visited Cherokee, Clay counties

More: NC's 1st case of 'community spread' coronavirus; Schools likely shut longer

“We want to make sure that we are using our resources wisely and that we have them for the long haul, essentially," she said.

"When we do testing for COVID-19, we are using personal protective equipment and we are exposing others, including health care personnel, to potential COVID-19, so we want to be sure to protect those resources because they will be very critical as we continue to see COVID-19 spread into our community, and we need those resources to take care of critically ill individuals.”

Community testing 'probably' won't be offered next week

Asked if the community testing would return the following week, Mullendore said, “It depends.”

“I’m leaning toward ‘probably not’ but … we’re at the stage right now where we’re evaluating how the testing went this week," she said. "We’re evaluating our supply of resources and are actively trying to figure out the most appropriate response for our community.”

In the coming weeks, Mullendore said testing may focus more heavily on those who are hospitalized, health care personnel and people in congregant living settings like nursing homes and jails.

More: Coronavirus: Buncombe releases some jail inmates to reduce risk of virus transmission

She said it's important to use resources responsibly "as it is likely that this outbreak will continue for the foreseeable future."

Waiting on hundreds of COVID-19 test results

According to Mullendore, 370 specimen were collected at the community sites during the few days they operated. The samples are being sent to labs for testing, she said. The results for all of them are pending.

Countywide, more than 700 people have been tested. That includes tests completed by BCHHS, Buncombe communicable disease staff and local health care providers.

Test samples are sent to one of several processing facilities — including private companies like LabCorp and the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health. The state lab has stricter guidelines for who can be tested, and different private laboratory facilities have different turnaround times for testing.

More: Coronavirus: how to get tested in Asheville, WNC and how long it takes

The turnaround time at LabCorp, a nationwide diagnostic company headquartered in Burlington, N.C., is typically three to four days, according to a March 13 statement from the company.

Mullendore said she expects to have many results early the week of March 23.

Officials urge those with mild illness to recover at home

Regardless of whether a person has been tested for COVID-19, anyone who is mildly ill with fever and lower respiratory symptoms should stay at home until their symptoms have improved, Mullendore advised.

More: Coronavirus: What Buncombe businesses are required to close due to the county's mandate?

"Specifically, people with fever and respiratory symptoms, including those people who have laboratory-confirmed COVID-19, should isolate themselves at home until the following conditions are met: it has been at least seven days since their symptoms started and at least 72 hours after their symptoms went away," she said.

She urged people whose symptoms are mild to manage them at home and reach out to their health care provider if their condition worsens.

Testing is still available in Buncombe County through local health care providers and urgent care facilities.

Mullendore said BCHHS still has tests available "for those most in need."

She reiterated the importance of social distancing in preparing for and preventing community spread of the coronavirus.

"I cannot stress enough how important these measures are," she said. "We must all do our part.”

Elizabeth Anne Brown is the trending news reporter for the Citizen Times. Reach her at eabrown@citizentimes.com, or follow her on Twitter @eabrown18.

Mackenzie Wicker covers Buncombe County for the Asheville Citizen Times. You can reach her at mwicker@citizentimes.com or follow her on Twitter @MackWick.

Keep local journalism possible with a subscription to the Citizen Times.