Vermont is one of a small handful of states to offer free COVID-19 testing even to asymptomatic residents who aren’t essential workers. So far, the state has offered the tests at eleven pop-up sites from Brattleboro to Saint Albans. Public officials say the goal is to test 1,000 people a day.
On Saturday, medics tested roughly 700 people in Colchester and White River Junction. Reporter Emily Corwin and her spouse were among those tested.
Registration
Reservations for asymptomatic testing are in high demand. One must preregister, and the first eleven pop-up testing events filled up quickly. As of Monday, May 18, only the Thursday event in Newport had open slots. Officials have said they are planning additional pop-up testing events and you can add your name to a wait list to receive alerts when those are scheduled.
What to expect
At the pop-up site outside the Department of Health Labs in Colchester on Saturday, my partner Ella and I waited in a line of cars for about 10 minutes before we were greeted by a national guardsman in fatigues and a surgical mask. He was one of three people to double check our names against a list of registrants.
Up ahead, small teams of National Guard medics moved between dark green military tents, and people getting tested in their cars. They wore white suits with shower cap-like hoods, face shields, masks (sometimes two), gowns, and booties over their shoes.
Will it hurt?
Eventually, two people arrived at my rolled-down window. One, a medic, told me the test would be briefly uncomfortable, and asked if I still wanted to proceed. Then, he told me to tilt my head back, and briefly stuck a long, flexible probe in one nostril. The sting was intense, but quickly dissipated. Ella and I both wept from the eye closest to the probe. I proceeded to sneeze about 15 times.
When will I get the results?
We were told we would receive a phone call if a result was positive and an email if it was negative, within roughly 48 hours. It's been a bit more than 48 hours, and no results just yet.
