WORCESTER - Wednesday was the first day for drive-thru coronavirus testing at UMass Memorial Medical Center.

"Individuals are asked to call their Primary Care physician or their doctor's office. They have a screening guideline tool they use to ask the patient a series of questions. We're really trying to limit the test to those who absolutely need the testing," said Jack Bailey, Senior Vice President at UMass Memorial Medical Center [UMMC].

We saw several vehicles pull into the hospital with people being tested inside of their cars. 

Bailey said they got off to a slow start on Wednesday, but expects the volume of people they treat to increase.

Bailey said, "It helps us work the kinks out. We know there's a lot of demand out there. We have a lot of questions. We have our version here at the University campus. Marlborough Hospital is also doing something very similar. We're going to see how these two function and go from there." 

UMass currently has 10 spots set up for people to come and get tested. 

Bailey said the testing center will be staffed from 8 AM to 5 PM for the foreseeable future. And he urges people to make sure it's necessary before getting a test.

"It's going to be a combination of how long we need it, and how many tests kits we have. The testing supplies are very limited. We're doing everything we can to prioritize those for the patients who really need to be tested," Bailey said.