State testing sites to close June 25

Vt Dept. of Health says ‘get take-home tests now’

Vermont Health Dept. testing sites will close June 25. Vermonters are encouraged to pick up free take-home tests from these sites to keep at home and use if needed. Vermonters can get up to four antigen test kits for each appointment, but only one LAMP (similar to PCR).

Testing is still recommended for people with symptoms, and close contacts of someone with Covid-19 who are not up to date on vaccines.

Choose a test type based on your specific needs, the health dept. recommends.

An antigen test can be used if you have symptoms or if you are a close contact, but be sure to take two tests, at least 24 hours apart. An antigen test should be used if you tested positive for Covid-19 in the past 90 days, because the other test types could continue to be positive due to your previous infection.

A PCR test is needed if you are testing a child under age 2. Take-home LAMP and antigen tests are not approved for use in children under 2.

A PCR test will provide a lab result letter for travel or another reason.

Take-home antigen tests meet many testing needs and will continue to be widely available at pharmacies around the state and at online retailers.

The health dept. also encourages Vermonters to make sure they have ordered all three rounds of at-home tests from Covid.gov, which are mailed directly to households.

You can also reach out to your health care provider or local pharmacy for other types of testing.

Where to get tests locally:

The Rutland Town Clerk Building located at 181 U.S. 4 Business, is open Mondays and Wednesdays 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. and Fridays 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., according tot he Vermont Dept. of Health. This site currently has antigen, LAMP and take-home, mail-in PCR tests, but it will be closing after Friday, June 24.

Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center, located at 289 County Road, is open Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays 1- 3:50 p.m. and offers antigen and LAMP tests only those days. On Wednesday from 8:50-10:50 a.m. and Fridays from 1 – 3:50 p.m. antigen, LAMP and PCR tests are available, according to the Vermont Dept. of Health. This site will also be closing after Friday, June 24.

Springfield Health Center, 51 Pearl St., is open Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8-11 a.m. and has only PCR tests, according to the dept. of health.

No other locations were listed in Rutland or Windsor Counties.

For more information visit: healthvermont.gov/covid-19/testing.