Back To School COVID Testing Comes To Loudoun County

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — A free drive-thru coronavirus testing event will take place in Loudoun County on Monday, Aug. 16. The event, which is hosted by the Loudoun County Health Department, is designed for students before they return to classrooms at the end of the month.

The event will take place at Philip A. Bolen Memorial Park in Leesburg from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Though the testing event is designed for students returning to classrooms, anyone can attend the event. There are no are or residency requirements, and people do not have to show identification to be tested.

The event will use PCR nasal swab tests, which determines whether the person has any strain of the novel coronavirus. Vaccines will not be available at the testing event, the health department said.

See also: Delta Variant Cases Surge As Loudoun Prepares New Recommendations

Dr. David Goodfriend is the director of the Loudoun County Health Department. "The timing of this event will allow many families who may have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus to determine whether they are infected and also to complete isolation with minimum impact on class attendance," Dr. Goodfriend said. "I particularly encourage parents and guardians to get their kids tested at this event, regardless of vaccination status, to ensure it is safe for them to go to school."

Anyone who plans to attend next week's testing event can fill out a registration form in advance. Officials said that filling out the form in advance will reduce wait times on the day of the testing event.

In addition to a test, many Loudoun County students can still receive a coronavirus vaccine before school starts on Thursday, Aug. 26. Loudoun County operates a map of vaccine providers for its residents. Anyone over the age of 12 is now eligible for a coronavirus vaccine.

Read more: Back To School: Loudoun County's 2021-22 School Calendar

"Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19," Dr. Goodfriend said. "Additionally, we recommend everyone wear a mask while in indoor public settings."