HAMPTON ROADS, Va. (WAVY) — With COVID-19 tests in high demand, the state opened nine new community testing centers across Virginia in January.

Two of them are in Hampton Roads: one in Newport News, the other in Norfolk near the current community vaccination center locations.

Each site will offer PCR tests that take a few days to get results back.

“We are tapped out on many different systems, our pharmacies, our hospitals, our urgent care so this is an additional layer,” said Suzi Trotter, the Virginia Department of Health Testing Co-Lead.

The testing center in Newport News is at the Sherwood Shopping Center off Warwick Boulevard. The CTC services will be available in a heated tent near the same property as the Community Vaccination Center.

It opened January 17 and is available every day except Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Walk-ins are now accepted for testing, but appointments are encouraged.

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Trotter says they don’t expect lines with this appointment-based system and it also ensures everyone with an appointment gets tested.

CTC testing services at Norfolk’s Military Circle Mall started in the outside tents on Tuesday, January 11. It has the same hours and appointment process as the one in Newport News.

The health department that the last day for the testing center at Military Circle Mall will be Thursday, Feb. 10. It will then transition to a new mobile testing initiative, which you can read about here.

Dr. Jaberi said towards the end of the month, he believes these testing centers are really going to put a dent into helping those who have really had a hard time finding testing opportunities.

Trotter says they’re opening up appointments continuously throughout the week as they get their space and vendors up. She says they have secured funding through the end of the month, then we reevaluate the pilot program.

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