Drive-Through Collection of Samples for COVID-19 Testing in Cleveland

The notion of drive-through to collect nasal swabs for COVID-19 testing is a practical and efficient idea and, I think, will ultimately be used across the country. Here's an article about how such a collection process is being organized by two Cleveland hospitals (see:University Hospitals and Cleveland Clinic Partner to Provide Drive-Through COVID-19 Testing). Below is an excerpt from the article:Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals (UH) have partnered to provide drive-through COVID-19 testing for patients with a doctor ’s order from UH or Cleveland Clinic....Patients without a doctor ’s order will not be offered testing at this location.To obtain a medical screening to determine testing necessity, people with symptoms should start with a virtual visit using Cleveland Clinic ’sExpress Care Online or call their UH or Cleveland Clinic primary care physician. Upon arrival to the drive-through location, patients will stay in their car and present their doctor ’s order. They will remain in their car as a sample is collected. Samples collected from this location will be sent to UH and Cleveland Clinic laboratories.Performing testing on-site at local hospitals ensures faster results than sending the samples to the state or outside lab. Results are anticipated to be available within a day. Patients will be tested regardless of their ability to pay; no copays will be charged for the test. Cleveland Clinic and UH are testing in accordance with the Centers for Dis...
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