Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Drive-thru testing begins in Delco
Drive-through test-taking for the COVID-19 virus has begun at two Delaware County health care systems on a limited basis.
Penn Medicine at Radnor has set up a tent site and drive-through center across from their facility on King of Prussia Road near the Radnor train station to take nasal samples for testing. In Newtown Square, Main Line Health has opened a facility at their offices at the Ellis Preserve on West Chester Pike.
There are no walk-ups; residents must register before testing.
Tests are being processed by Quest, and results are typically available in three to five days, a Main Line Health spokesperson said.
A Penn Medicine spokesperson said Penn Medicine patients who are concerned about possible symptoms of the virus should contact their health care providers, who will provide specific instructions.
A banner at the test site stated to get tested, you must call 267-414-2303 and be registered beforehand.
Tuesday morning a dozen cars were lined up. A medical professional, fully geared up in safety clothing, spoke to the motorists before directing them into line where nasal samples were taken.
The spokesperson said for the safety of everyone involved and due to the high demand for tests, Penn Medicine urges all patients to register in advance through their physician’s office.
Penn Medicine also has a center set up in West Philadelphia. The spokesperson said there are no copays or deductibles charged for testing, and uninsured patients will be able to be tested for free.
A statement from Main Line Health said the drivethrough COVID-19 testing requires a physician referral to assure clinician triage and appropriate testing.
One goal of the Main Line Health testing is to preserve access to the Emergency Departments for patients who have not been exposed to the virus and need typical emergency treatment. Medical officials do not want infected patients coming to the Emergency Department
without contacting 911. Main Line Health operates Emergency Departments at Riddle, Bryn Mawr, Lankenau and Paoli Hospitals.
The statement said MLH is in discussions with regional partners, including the departments of health regarding broader testing of less ill symptomatic patients, but they have no plans to test asymptomatic patients.
Pennsylvania’s Department of Health is working on a plan to open public testing sites for the coronavirus, as the state’s health systems and hospitals work to operate their own sample-taking sites and testing laboratories.
Department spokesman Nate Wardle said the agency is in the process of organizing public testing sites and will announce them when there are locations, times and dates.
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is now able to test, and Geisinger Health System is testing for its own in-house patients, the department said.
Cases confirmed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health have exceeded 180 as of Thursday, with two new cases in Delaware County. The majority of confirmed cases have been in southeastern Pennsylvania.
Health officials have said most of the people affected were in isolation at home, with a handful being treated at hospitals.
The virus that has stricken tens of thousands around the globe causes only mild symptoms for the majority of the people who become infected, but can be deadly for some, especially older adults and people with certain health conditions, such as respiratory illness.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.