COVID testing could wane as vaccinations grow

Paul B. Johnson, The High Point Enterprise, N.C.
·2 min read

Apr. 10—HIGH POINT — The popularity of COVID-19 testing with the public could be receding as people skip the test step and go right to getting vaccinated.

One sign of the possible shift was reflected in an announcement Friday by a major health system serving the Triad. Novant Health leaders said because of decreased demand, the health system has closed its COVID-19 screening assessment centers in Charlotte and Winston-Salem.

Patients who need a COVID-19 test can visit Novant Health primary care and pediatric clinics, as well as Novant Health GoHealth Urgent Care clinics.

"Our team members on the front lines of the screening centers showed remarkable commitment to make sure all of our communities had access to COVID-19 testing," said John Howard, senior vice president at Novant Health. "Now, we ask our community members to join us in our efforts to get as many people vaccinated as possible."

Cone Health also has noted a decline in demand by people seeking tests, though the health system's testing sites are operating as normal, Cone spokesman Douglas Allred told The High Point Enterprise.

Any softening in demand for COVID-19 tests may reflect greater access to vaccinations and people deciding testing isn't a priority when a virus shot is readily available.

"With the uptick in vaccines and people being vaccinated, I think there is an idea that we're doing a good job suppressing the virus," said Jordan Smith, an assistant professor in the School of Pharmacy at High Point University. "People are less fearful, in general, because they've been vaccinated, already had COVID-19 or feel that with things reopening to a certain extent the risk isn't as prevalent."

As of Friday, there have been 11.6 million COVID-19 tests given in the state since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. The number of tests performed daily had trailed off since late last month before turning back up this week.

State public health officials continue to recommend people to get tested for anyone with symptoms of COVID-19, said Catie Armstrong, a press assistant with the department out of Raleigh.

"DHHS will continue to provide testing resources to meet the needs of our community," Armstrong told The Enterprise. "We've seen in the past how fragile progress can be, so we need to keep protecting each other."

pjohnson@hpenews.com — 336-888-3528 — @HPEpaul