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Free COVID mass testing site opens at Richmond Raceway

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Posted at 7:14 PM, Jan 08, 2022
and last updated 2022-01-08 19:14:05-05

RICHMOND, Va. -- People who live in Richmond and Henrico can now sign up to get a free COVID-19 PCR test at the Richmond Raceway starting this weekend.

The community testing center (CTC), which is the state's first of nine mass testing sites, opened Saturday at 9 a.m. and offers appointments daily through Thursday, Jan. 13, according of officials with the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts. [Click here to make an appointment.]

The health district is also offering community-based testing clinics by appointment at Deep Run Recreation Center on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022 and at the Southwood Apartments on Friday, Jan. 14. [Click here for infoor call 804-205-3501 during business hours.]

In addition to the appointment-only clinics, RHHD is hosting two walk-in clinics, which are first come, first served while supplies last.

  • Wednesday, Jan. 12 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Eastern Henrico Recreation Center (1440 N Laburnum Avenue)
  • Thursday, Jan. 13 from 2 - 6 p.m. at Southside Plaza (509 East Southside Plaza)

“We have learned from the vaccination effort that a mixture of appointments and walk up opportunities is a good thing,” RHHD Emergency Manager Jessica Coughlin said. “The appointments allow folks to have short wait times and know that there is a spot guaranteed for them; meanwhile, walk up opportunities can reduce barriers to accessing an appointment, particularly for our communities with limited internet access.”

Health department officials will track demand and capacity and may add on additional events.

Additionally, RHHD officials said they will alert the public when more at-home COVID-19 tests come in, which is expected toward the end of next week.

"Pharmacies, urgent care facilities, and private providers may also have COVID-19 tests available to the public this weekend and next week," officials said.

Click here for more info on COVID-19 testing and vaccination opportunities in the Richmond and Henrico communities or call 804-205-3501.

RELATED: Richmond Raceway is 1st of 9 testing centers to open in Virginia

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Mass COVID-19 vaccination clinic at Richmond Raceway.

Virginians age 5+ are eligible for COVID-19 vaccine. Pre-registration is no longer required,so go to Vaccine Finderto search for specific vaccines available near you or call 877-VAX-IN-VA (877-275-8343).

Depend on CBS 6 News and WTVR.com for the most complete coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Have You Been Fully Vaccinated?

People are considered fully vaccinated:

  • 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or
  • 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine
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What you can and should not do once you have been fully vaccinated.

How to Protect Yourself and Others When You’ve Been Fully Vaccinated

COVID-19 vaccines are effective at protecting you from getting sick. Based on what we know about COVID-19 vaccines, people who have been fully vaccinated can start to do some things that they had stopped doing because of the pandemic.

We’re still learning how vaccines will affect the spread of COVID-19. After you’ve been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, you should keep taking precautions—like wearing a mask, staying 6 feet apart from others, and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces—in public places until we know more.

These recommendations can help you make decisions about daily activities after you are fully vaccinated. They are not intended for healthcare settings.

Click here for more information from the Virginia Department of Health.