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Many opting to pay out of pocket for COVID-19 tests ahead of holiday travel

Time is running out to get a COVID-19 test ahead of the holiday, and that has some people shelling out big bucks at private testing labs.

Posted Updated

By
Joe Fisher
, WRAL reporter

Time is running out to get a COVID-19 test ahead of the holiday, and that has some people shelling out big bucks at private testing labs.

ARCpoint Labs is charging $125 for a rapid test and $300 for a more accurate rapid PCR test.

Julia Holt didn’t think twice about spending $300 at ARCpoint in Fayetteville to test before a family gathering on Christmas.

“With it being Christmas, I figured it was better to be safe than sorry,” said Holt. “I will still social distance, regardless, because you still don’t know because there’s so many variants.”

It’s the rapidly spreading omicron variant that has thousands of people turning to ARCpoint’s 12 locations across North Carolina for some peace of mind.

Vice President Kevin Szogas said demand has doubled the week of Christmas despite the out-of-pocket cost.

"The last three days is really wearing the staff. They are going full speed right now,” said Szogas.

Szogas said many people receive full or partial reimbursement through their insurance.

Holt said she’ll change her holiday plans if she tests positive, but she’s not taking any chance.

“It’s just that my mother-in-law is older, and we just don’t want to chance it. So we’ll still probably social distance even if I do come back negative,” said Holt.

ARCpoint Labs is open until 1:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve, appointments can be scheduled HERE.

They suggest making an appointment, but they are accepting walk-ins.

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