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Testing is available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Dec. 27 and Dec. 28, and from 8 a.m. to noon on Dec. 29 at the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy, 1150 Riverside Drive, Lewistown, PA, 17044.

Up to 450 people can be tested per day at each site. Mid-nasal passage swab PCR tests will be performed. Testing is on a first-come, first-serve basis and is completely free. No appointment is necessary. Testing is open to individuals from any county who are ages 3 and older. Individuals do not need to be experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 to be tested.

Patients are encouraged to bring a photo-ID, but ID is not required to be tested. Registration will also be completed on-site.

Individuals who are tested should self-quarantine while they await their test results. Individuals who live with other people should self-quarantine in a private room and use a private bathroom, if possible. Others living in the home with the individual awaiting test results should also stay at home. The department has additional instructions for individuals waiting for a COVID-19 test result.

Individuals who test positive will receive a phone call from AMI while individuals who test negative will receive a secured-PDF emailed from AMI.

“The Omicron variant now accounts for nearly 75 percent of COVID-19 cases in our region and across the country,” Acting Secretary of Health Keara Klinepeter said. “The important thing to remember is that we have more tools to slow the spread of COVID-19 than we did at this time last year. We know layered prevention strategies can slow the spread of COVID-19 and help prevent serious illness and hospitalization including getting vaccinated and boosted, wearing masks in public indoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status. Consider getting a COVID-19 test prior to gathering with others over the holidays.”