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Community testing for COVID-19 will be taking place two times in Suffolk in the next week and a half, and we strongly encourage anybody and everybody to come out to these two locations and get tested.

The testing events will take place on June 5 at the Health & Human Services Building, 135 Hall Ave., and on June 10 at Bennett’s Creek Park, located at 3000 Bennetts Creek Park Road.

On both days, testing will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or until tests run out. All of the testing will be free.

According to Western Tidewater Health District Director Dr. Todd Wagner, they would like anybody to come to the testing — all ages, those who are asymptomatic as well as people who are having symptoms of COVID-19, which can include cough, fever and shortness of breath.

The tests are a nasopharyngeal swab that tests for current presence of the virus, the press release stated. Asymptomatic carriers may test positive if they have the virus. This is not an antibody test, and unless you currently have the virus, it cannot tell if you have previously been exposed to it. Test results will be provided within three to four business days. Those testing positive will be contacted by phone. Those testing negative will be sent results via U.S. mail to the address provided.

We strongly encourage anybody who is able to come out to these testing events and get tested, even if you don’t think you’re positive. The key to controlling this pandemic is widespread testing so that people who may be unknowingly spreading the disease can be quarantined, and their close contacts can be quarantined.

Appreciation is due to the Western Tidewater Health District as well as the city of Suffolk officials who worked on these testing events in conjunction with health officials.

For more information, call 514-4700.