You no longer need a doctor’s order to get a COVID-19 test in NC

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — You no longer need a doctor’s order to get a COVID-19 test, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

At a news conference Tuesday, NCDHHS Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen said the department has issued a statewide standing order for COVID-19 diagnostic testing and Dr. Betsey Tilson, the state’s health director, also issued a temporary order on COVID-19 diagnostic test reporting. The orders will help decrease barriers to COVID-19 testing, making it easier to get tested for the virus.

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Under the order, testing sites can collect and submit samples to a laboratory for COVID-19 testing without requiring a doctor’s order and allows testing sites to get results directly from laboratories.

“Testing is an important component of the state’s strategy to slow the spread of the virus, and today’s order will make it easier for North Carolinians to get tested,” said Tilson.

TESTING SITES: Where are the COVID-19 testing sites in the Charlotte area?

The state is also setting up 300 free testing sites in 100 zip codes throughout the month of July.

State health leaders believe the action will make testing more accessible for people in underserved communities who may be less likely to have a primary care doctor. They also believe it will make it easier for the state to track test results to get a better picture of what’s happening in our communities.

Cohen said the average wait time for people to get test results back is 6 to 7 days. That’s compared to a 2 to 3 day turnaround in June. She hopes the order will help speed up response times.

More information here.