The Central Shenandoah Health District (CSHD) is announcing new free monthly Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) testing in the Lexington/Buena Vista area. These pop-up clinics are being offered in partnership with the Rockbridge Recovery Group Center (RRGC) in Buena Vista and Rockbridge Area Community Services (RACS) in Lexington.
These Test & Go clinics are intended to provide convenient access to health care within the community. CSHD’s newly refurbished mobile unit will be used to provide STI testing free of cost to participants. No insurance, identification, or payment is required. These clinics will be offered on a first-come first-served basis with no appointment needed.
The clinic will offer testing for HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, & Syphilis. Patients who need treatment will be connected to health care providers for follow up care.
“Test & Go clinics are a great resource for any individual who is sexually active and needs access to STI testing,” said Dr. Allison Baroco, infectious diseases physician and interim health director for the Central Shenandoah Health District. “Rates of STIs have increased significantly in the past several years in Virginia and nationally, so it is more important than ever to know your status. Those with positive test results will be connected to counseling on treatment.”
The first local clinic was held this past Friday at Rockbridge Area Community Services. The next one will be June 18, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., at the Rockbridge Recovery Group Center, at 119 E. 28th St., Buena Vista.
Clinics will then be held every third Thursday of the month beginning in July, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Rockbridge Recovery Group Center.
Routine STI testing and treatment is available at the Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro Health Department locations. Appointments for routine testing and treatment are required. Call the local health department to make an appointment.
More information about Test & Go clinics and routine STI testing and treatment can be found on the Central Shenandoah Health District website at https://www.vdh.virginia. gov/central-shenandoah/health-services/ sexually-transmitted-infections/.
For more information, call (540) 463-3185, or email [email protected]. For the latest schedule, check out the district’s Facebook page, @CentralShenandoahHealthDistrict.
