Dauphin County Joins Collaborative Effort to Host COVID-19 Testing Clinic at Strawberry Square – Starting March 16

Dauphin County is collaborating with state officials and community partners Harristown Enterprises and Park Harrisburg to host a free, walk-in COVID-19 testing clinic at Strawberry Square, beginning March 16.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health through AMI Expeditionary Healthcare will administer tests at the old Hallmark store location – Tuesday through Saturday – through April 10.

“This collaborative clinic effort recognizes that COVID-19 still poses a very real threat to our communities,” Dauphin County Commissioner Mike Pries said.

The Dauphin County Department of Public Safety coordinated with the state and community partners after the DOH inquired about a testing site in Harrisburg city.

“A lot of attention is appropriately being paid to vaccination efforts, but we should not forget that testing remains an essential piece of putting this pandemic behind us,” Public Safety Director Stephen Libhart said.

Harristown has provided use of the old Hallmark location (and attached utilities) for no charge for the entire month. Harristown will likely be offering logistics support for the clinic as well.

Park Harrisburg will provide four complementary parking spaces for staff working the clinic.

“I commend those business partners for stepping up to offer a location, parking, and other services that will sustain this mass-testing operation,” County Commissioner Chair Jeff Haste said.

The indoor walk-in clinic will be open daily Tuesday through Friday (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Saturdays (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

Pre-registration is not required; registration will happen on site.

Up to 450 people can be tested daily. You do not have to be a Dauphin County resident to be tested.

As an initiative to serve persons experiencing homelessness, those tested can return to the site for their results.

“This convenient location will allow easy access for so many residents and workers,” Commissioner George P. Hartwick III said. “Available testing is vital to maintaining a handle on the pandemic’s scope and impact.”

Testing is on a first-come, first-served basis and is totally free. Attendees are encouraged to bring a form of ID. Strawberry Square is at 320 Market Street in Harrisburg.

Turnaround time for test results is between two and seven days, according to the Department of Health. Those tested should self-quarantine until receiving results.

MEDIA CONTACT: Brett Hambright, Press Secretary, 717-780-6311; bhambright@dauphinc.org.