Bucks County will open their first public COVID-19 testing sites this month.
Bucks County Chief Operating Officer Margie McKevitt announced during the commissioners meeting in Doylestown Borough that the county will open three public testing sites that will be active seven days per week.
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The sites will conduct polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing.
The testing sites will be located at Delaware Valley University near Doylestown, Bucks County Community College’s Upper Bucks Campus outside of Perkasie, and the Bucks County Community College’s Gene and Marlene Epstein Campus at Lower Bucks on Veterans Highway in Bristol Township.
Testing will be conducted seven days per a week and nine hours per day for 21 days, McKevitt said.
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The central and upper county locations will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Bristol Township location will be open Saturdays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
McKevitt said those being tested will need to bring a face mask, a cell phone if they have one, and insurance information if they have it. Those without health insurance will still be able to get a test.
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The commissioners approved a contract with Virginia-based AMI Expeditionary Healthcare to provide testing services. The testing is paid for by $1.13 million in federal COVID-19 response and control grant funds awarded through the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
“We hope that we will flip these sites to vaccination sites in the future,” she said.
Hospitals and long-term care centers began receiving the two available COVID-19 vaccines last month.
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McKevitt said emergency medical crews are being scheduled to get vaccinations through area hospitals and Woods Services in Middletown Township.
Unlike other counties and state government, Bucks County has not previously not offered COVID-19 testing for the public at any large scale. The county has relied on private providers that have become overwhelmed in recent weeks.
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Larry King, the county’s top spokesperson, said the testing sites are being rolled out due to the high number of cases in Bucks County.
Ways residents can help reduce the spread of COVID-19:
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
- Wear a mask properly when in a business or where it is difficult to maintain proper social distancing.
- Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
- Clean surfaces frequently.
- Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.
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