DAYTON, Ohio — Until today, people in Dayton have not had a viable option to get tested for the coronavirus. But now Premier Health has created a drive-thru testing facility, that not only allow for patients to get results, but will help to keep clinicians safer in the process.
- Premier Health has opened a drive-thru testing facility in the parking lot of UD Arena
- The testing site will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays
- Patients must have a doctor’s order to be tested
To get started here, patients first must have an order from their primary care physician, calling for a COVID-19 test. Regional Medical Director Dr. Joseph Allen said without one, you will not be tested.
“Make sure you have your ID, make sure you have your order,” Allen said. “Once we confirm all that, we will send you into the line whether you need the flu test or the COVID-19 testing.”
He said if possible, patients should already have a flu test done before coming to get a COVID-19 test to keep the line moving. But results from the flu test take about 15 minutes.
The coronavirus testing takes just a few minutes, and if the test site is operating as Premier Health expects, most patients will be in and out.
“These tests that we are drawing here will be sent to our regional laboratory, and they should get done very quickly and back to us within 24-48 hours,” said Allen.
The facility will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, as long as there is a need in Dayton or as long as they have tests.
Allen said he expects a strong turnout here, but can’t put a number on it just yet, as they are still figuring things out as they go. But, with this increase in testing, he said people shouldn’t be shocked to see the number of cases go up.
"Identifying those patients that are positive will rise quite drastically with sites like this,” Allen said.
He said these testing sites are actually quite safe for those administering the tests. Not only are the workers wearing masks, gloves and other protective gear, the outdoor setting also reduces their risk.
“Even though we have a lot of patients coming through and a lot of exposure, it’s a little less than they’d be if they were confined in an office,” Allen said.
Dr. Allen said with a limited amount of test kits available both here and across the country, you should do everything you can at home to protect your health.
“Take it seriously, self-quarantine, stay back,” he said. “Best case scenario in this situation is that I really hope that in a month or two, we look back and say we overreacted.”
In addition to the Dayton testing site, UC Health in Clifton also opened a by appointment testing clinic. But again, those looking to get tested must have an order from their primary care physician.
