Fredericksburg Libraries Run Out Of COVID-19 Tests In 3 Hours

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — Libraries in the Fredericksburg area had at-home COVID-19 tests for about 3 hours on Tuesday afternoon. However, the Central Rappahannock Regional Library system quickly exhausted their supply of tests to residents.

The tests were provided to the library system through a Virginia Department of Health program: Supporting Testing Access through Community Collaboration. The program was announced in November, and intended to provide tests to Virginia residents in underserved areas.

However, since the surge in COVID-19 cases caused by the omicron variant, tests have become increasingly difficult to find. Before Tuesday, Fredericksburg's libraries had been without tests since Dec. 29. Library systems in Fairfax and Arlington saw their testing supplies exhaust within hours as well.

Read more: Free At-Home COVID Tests Available At Local Libraries In Virginia

"Testing continues to be important to stop the spread of COVID-19, particularly as we enter the holiday season when people gather," Folano said in a news release announcing the program.

The Fredericksburg library system did not provide an estimate on when they would receive more tests.

In the meantime, there are a variety of locations around the Fredericksburg area that offer COVID-19 tests. More testing locations are also listed online. At any listed locations, residents should call ahead to confirm testing availability.

• CVS Pharmacy, 450 Chatham Heights Road, Fredericksburg VA 22405
• Walgreens, 50 White Oak Road, Fredericksburg VA 22405
• CVS Pharmacy, 1511 Jefferson Davis Highway, Fredericksburg VA 22401
• City of Fredericksburg, 1300 Dixon Street, Fredericksburg VA 22401
• NextCare Urgent Care, 330 White Oak Road, Fredericksburg VA 22405
• Kaiser Permanente, 1201 Hospital Drive, Fredericksburg VA 22401