Given the tremendous demand for COVID-19 testing due to the high rate of transmission in Vermont, be advised there is a 72-hour turn-around time for the results of a routine test conducted at Northwestern Urgent Care or area Primary Care Offices using the NMC Laboratory. These routine tests are being shipped to reference labs to allow local processing to focus on testing for patients with pressing medical need, such as pending admission to the hospital.

Remember, free COVID-19 testing is available six days a week at the COVID Resource Center at Valley Crossroads (27 Fisher Pond Road) in St. Albans, and appointments for the free testing can be made online at: https://www.healthvermont.gov/covid-19/testing/where-get-tested

Across Vermont, the high volume of people seeking medical care combined with healthcare staff having to call out from work due to exposure or illness has created a significant strain on the system. This is causing increased wait times in many areas. Locally, our staff is carrying a heavy load and we  appreciate their efforts. Please be kind to them as they care for you.

How can you show your appreciation for their efforts? Be an active role model for prevention. Wear a mask in public areas. Be attentive to social distancing. Use proper hand hygiene. Do not go to work if you are ill. If you are not yet vaccinated, please get vaccinated as soon as possible – vaccination has significantly reduced hospitalizations and deaths in this latest and largest surge. Those efforts show that we are all working together to get through this pandemic. Thank you for your patience with waits and partnership in prevention.