Community Corner

Get Free Testing in Alexandria on National HIV Testing Day

Virginia Health Department partners with Walgreens and HIV organization to provide testing locally.

Thursday is National HIV Testing Day, and the Virginia Health Department has partnered with Walgreens and Greater than AIDS to provide free HIV testing in the Commonwealth, according to a Virginia Health Department news release. A coalition of public and private sector also joined the partnership to provide this service.

One of the 13 participating Walgreens is located at 6717 Richmond Highway. Testing events will be 3-7 p.m. June 27-28 and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 29.

“Collaborating with Walgreens, and other community partners, allows us to ensure that accurate HIV testing information and services are available to as many people as possible,” said State Health Commissioner Cynthia C. Romero, MD, FAAFP. “From 2008 to 2012, 4,931 cases of HIV disease were diagnosed in Virginia. The burden of HIV disease continues to have a disproportionate impact on certain populations, particularly racial and ethnic minorities.”

According to the news release, an estimated one in five of 1.1 million people living with HIV in the U.S. do not know it. One third of those who are positive are diagnosed so late in the course of their infection they develop AIDS within one year.

“Access to testing, education and care are critical when it comes to the treatment and prevention of this complex condition,” said Glen Pietrandoni, senior manager of virology at Walgreens. “We have supported people living with HIV/AIDS since the beginning of the epidemic more than 30 years ago and will continue to be a trusted resource. Through this significant collaboration, we can help even more people get, stay and live well.”

In addition to this event, VDH is offering free confidential testing year-round. To learn more about HIV or where to get a FREE HIV test, call the Disease Prevention Hotline at 1-800-533-4148.

Click here for a full list of participating Walgreens locations in Virginia.


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