Local News

Need a last minute COVID-19 test? At least one drive-thru site open in Wake County on Christmas Eve

Drivers lined up at COVID-19 testing sites across Raleigh on Thursday, even after Wake County added available appointment times to meet demand.

Posted 2021-12-24T02:37:27+00:00 - Updated 2021-12-24T14:53:35+00:00

Wake testing site open before Christmas

Chris Lovingood

, WRAL anchor/reporter

While Wake County's free COVID-19 testing sites are closed on Friday for Christmas Eve, there is at least one place to get tested.

Mako Medical opened a location on Rock Quarry Road, outside of the Word of God Fellowship Church, on Thursday to help meet increased holiday demand amid the surge in omicron cases.

The company said they set up the drive-thru testing site in direct response to the growing number of holiday requests for testing.

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"We know people desperately want to see loved ones over the holidays but we also know they want to do so safely," said MAKO chief operating officer Josh Arant in a statement.

The testing will be available on Friday and Monday, Dec. 27, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. A spokesperson for Mako said results should be returned within 24 to 28 hours, and lab teams will be working on Christmas Day until all test results are processed.

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A spokesman said there are no out-of-pocket costs for the Mako COVID-19 test, but insurance information will be requested. The test will not count towards a deductible or copay.

WRAL News searched for testing appointments across the Triangle and could not find any other places offering a test on Dec. 24.

For those using at-home tests, health experts said while they can have quicker turnaround times, the tests could miss detecting some infections.

"The thing we have to remember is testing is only a snapshot in time," said Thomas Denny, chief operating officer at the Duke Human Vaccine Institute. "So when you're using the home test - the so-called anti-gen test - they have a little less sensitivity than a PCR-based test does."

Mako will require pre-registration for Friday's testing.

Denny recommended those who get a positive result from an at-home test should follow up with a PCR test, but treat as if they are infected with the virus.

Testing sites abound across Wake County

Wake County testing sites will re-open after the Christmas holiday on Monday, Dec. 27. The county offers COVID-19 testing by appointment at five sites:

Wake County Southern Regional Center, 130 N. Judd Parkway NE, Fuquay-Varina
Wake County Northern Regional Center, 350 E. Holding Ave., Wake Forest
Wake County Eastern Regional Center, 1002 Dogwood Drive, Zebulon
Vision Church RDU Parking Lot, 5808 Departure Drive, Raleigh
Wake County Health & Human Services Center Parking Lot, 2845 Kidd Road, Raleigh

Ten other locations, operated by the state also offer tests by appointment. Hours and registration requirements vary, so those seeking a test may have to try multiple sites before finding an available slot.