With a significant decrease in demand for COVID-19 testing, combined with the extensive availability of other convenient options such as at-home tests, community health departments and physician practices, ECU Health is closing its COVID-19 testing sites effective July 29. 

This includes testing sites at 13 ECU Health medical group clinics — formerly Vidant Medical Group — and the drive-thru testing site in Greenville. 

This decision comes as North Carolina nears the end of the COVID-19 state of emergency, which will be lifted mid-August.

“From the onset of the pandemic, ECU Health has placed the health, well-being and safety of eastern North Carolina at the forefront of our COVID-19 response,” the health system said. “Once COVID-19 testing capabilities were established, ECU Health heavily invested in building a robust, state-of-the-art testing program. Since launching the testing sites across the region, we have been able to monitor the spread of COVID-19 and its impact on our region as well as share this valuable data with community members.”

ECU Health established the Greenville drive-thru COVID-19 testing site and regional testing sites when other convenient testing options were not available. 

These testing sites, which have helped mitigate the spread of COVID-19, served communities for almost two years. Throughout this time, ECU Health conducted more than 800,000 total tests.

“Regrettably, closing the testing sites impacts the employment of 141 team members across the region who were specifically hired to support the health system’s COVID-19 response,” the health system said. 

ECU Health is providing human resources and talent acquisition support to all team members who are interested in applying for open positions for which they are qualified for within the health system. This includes those who are working in part-time, full-time and supplemental roles related to the system’s initial COVID-19 response efforts.

ECU Health will continue to provide COVID-19 testing, if needed and by appointment, for patients during their scheduled visits at ECU Health primary care offices. 

Testing will also be available as needed in the inpatient setting.

The health system said the community should continue to follow the usual protocols when sick, and seek appointments with their primary care providers. Those strictly seeking a COVID-19 test should not visit the Emergency Department and should instead contact their primary care office or seek alternative testing options.

To find a COVID-19 testing location visit the NCDHHS Community Access Points website at this link