Coronavirus Testing Information
Coronavirus tests are available in Brunswick County. If you suspect you have symptoms of coronavirus, you should contact your primary medical provider first to alert them of their symptoms and have a physician determine if a test is required and if they provide tests. If your need additional assistance to locate a provider to test, you should contact Brunswick County Health Services for assistance.
Staying home is still the best way to continue to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect North Carolinians. The NCDHHS encourages everyone to follow the three Ws when visiting any public area. These efforts work best when they are all practiced together by as many people as possible:
- Wear a cloth face covering when in public (Make sure both your nose and mouth are fully covered and you are able to breathe normally while wearing it.)
- Wait six feet apart to avoid close contact and maintain appropriate social distancing between yourself and others
- Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer while also following other best hygiene practices
These online tools are intended to help people know if they may need a test, how to get a test, and monitor their own symptoms if advised to do so by a contact tracer:
- Check My Symptoms, a public website that allows people to enter their symptoms to determine if they should consider getting tested for COVID-19. If a test is recommended, they will receive a link to a list of nearby testing sites via email or text.
- Comprobar Mis Sintomas: La herramienta “Comprobar mis síntomas” le ayuda a ver sus síntomas en línea y ver si es recomendable que se haga la prueba del COVID- 19. Después de poner sus síntomas, si es recomendable, si es recomendable que se haga la prueba, recibirá por correo electrónico o texto una lista de sitios cercanos a usted donde se puede hacer la prueba. Esta es una herramienta informativa para ayudarle a ver si es posible que necesite hacerse la prueba; sin embargo, no es una orden médica. Los sitios de prueba pueden requerir su propio chequeo.
- Find My Testing Place is a public website that allows people to enter their county or ZIP code and access a list of nearby testing site locations online.
Click on the accordion boxes below for more information about COVID-19 symptoms and testing.
Guidance On Who Should Be Tested For COVID-19
Guidance On Who Should Be Tested For COVID-19
It is ultimately up to the primary medical provider to determine who should get tested, however the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has issued guidance that recommends that clinicians test any patient in whom COVID-19 is suspected. The guidance recommends clinicians ensure the following populations have access to testing, regardless of symptoms:
- Anyone with symptoms suggestive of COVID-19.
- Close contacts of known positive cases, regardless of symptoms.
- The following groups are some of the populations with higher risk of exposure or a higher risk of severe disease if they become infected. People in these groups should get tested if they believe they may have been exposed to COVID-19, whether or not they have symptoms.
- People who live in or have regular contact with high-risk settings (e.g., long-term care facility, homeless shelter, correctional facility, migrant farmworker camp).
- Historically marginalized populations who may be at higher risk for exposure.
- Frontline and essential workers (grocery store clerks, gas station attendants, child care workers, construction sites, processing plants, etc.) in settings where social distancing is difficult to maintain.
- Health care workers or first responders (e.g. EMS, law enforcement, fire department, military).
- People who are at high risk of severe illness (e.g., people over 65 years of age, people of any age with underlying health conditions).
- People who have attended protests, rallies, or other mass gatherings could have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or could have exposed others. Testing should be considered for people who attended such events, particularly if they were in crowds or other situations where they couldn’t practice effective social distancing.
Learn more about this guidance and see answers to frequently asked questions about testing on the NCDHHS website.
COVID-19 Symptoms
COVID-19 Symptoms
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness.
Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
This list is not all possible symptoms. Other less common symptoms have been reported, including gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Anyone with more serious symptoms should call their doctor or 9-1-1 right away. More serious symptoms can include shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chest pain or pressure, confusion or blue lips.
See more recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on what to do if you feel sick.
COVID-19 Testing Sites in Brunswick County
COVID-19 Testing Sites in Brunswick County
- You should contact your primary medical provider first if you have one to alert them of their symptoms and have a physician determine if a test is required and if they provide tests.
- Remember to always contact these sites first to alert them of their symptoms so they can provide proper guidance and make preparations to best protect you and their staff.
- Uninsured individuals can seek free testing at the following locations (call ahead to schedule a visit and alert physicians/staff about symptoms):
- Brunswick County Health Services (Bolivia; Pediatrics Only): 910-253-2276
- CommWell Health (Bolivia Site Only): 910-567-7114
- Goshen Medical (Southport): 910-457-0070
- CVS Pharmacy (Leland): Register in advance at https://www.cvs.com/ / 910-371-1464
Brunswick County Health Services (Testing for those aged 17 and under)
- 25 Courthouse Drive, Building A, Bolivia, NC 28422
- 910-253-2276
- Assist: Uninsured and Insured
- Monday through Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Novant Health Oceanside Family
- 5145 Sellers Rd, Shallotte, NC 28470
- 910-754-4441
- Assist: Uninsured and Insured
- Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Online coronavirus assessment tool found at novanthealth.org/coronavirus
- 24/7 helpline for patients are experiencing symptoms and have questions on how to best seek care: 877-499-1697 or 877-9NOVANT
Dosher Urgent Care
- 4222 Long Beach Rd, Southport, NC 28461
- 910-454-4732
- Assist: Uninsured and Insured
- Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Dosher Memorial Hospital COVID-19 Patient/Community Information Webpage
CommWell Health
- 4311 Old Ocean Hwy, Bolivia, NC 28422
- 910-567-7114
- Assist: Uninsured and Insured
- Monday and Thursday: 8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Goshen Medical
- 4654 Long Beach Rd, Southport, NC 28461
- 910-457-0070 (calling ahead is recommended)
- Assist: Uninsured and Insured
- Monday through Thursday: 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
CVS Pharmacy (Leland)
- 1132 East Cutler Crossing, Leland, NC 28451
- Register in advance at CVS.COM
- 910-371-1464
- Assist: Uninsured and Insured
Med First Primary and Urgent Care
- 5130 Southport-Supply Rd SE, Southport, NC 28461
- 910-269-2053
- Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Saturday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Sunday: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
FastMed Urgent Care
- 202 Village Rd, Leland, NC 28451
- 910-782-3600
- Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Public Health Call Lines and Email Information
Public Health Call Lines and Email Information
Brunswick County Public Health Call Line (Available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
The County is operating a joint information center with a Public Health Call Line and email to answer residents’ coronavirus questions (available Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
- Phone: 1.910.253.2339
- Email: coronavirus@brunswickcountync.gov
Community Care of North Carolina’s COVID-19 Triage Plus (Available 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily)
CCNC’s COVID-19 Triage Plus is a toll-free helpline aimed at answering patients’ COVID-19 questions and helping them find the care they need. COVID-19 Triage Plus staff are local, NC-licensed RNs experienced in care management who will assist any North Carolina resident regardless of insurance coverage or lack of coverage. Through an agreement with the NC Department of Health and Human Services, CCNC will staff this helpline from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week.
- COVID-19 Triage Plus Patient Information and Support Line: 1-877-490-6642
Individuals who have questions afterhours are encouraged to use the North Carolina 2-1-1 program or call the North Carolina Public Health Call Line, which has public health professionals available 24 hours a day every day to answer questions.
NC Public Health Call Line (Open 24/7)
- 1.866.462.3821
North Carolina 2-1-1 Program
- For COVID-19 questions, dial 2-1-1 or 888-892-1162
- Sign up for updates by texting COVIDNC to 898211