MORGANTOWN – WVU Medicine announced today that it is establishing five
drive-through collection points in West Virginia to collect specimens from
pre-screened patients to test for COVID-19. The collection points will be in
Morgantown, Parkersburg, Bridgeport, Wheeling, and Martinsburg. Although there
are still no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in West Virginia, transmission of the
coronavirus is increasing nationwide, and other health systems have
successfully used the drive-through approach.
The testing itself will be supported by both Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp,
which will process the specimens that WVU Medicine collects from patients. The
collection points will operate seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
starting tomorrow, March 18. Patients will typically learn test results in
three-to-four days, although time will likely vary based on the volume of tests
these two companies will be performing.
Tests will be reserved for people who meet screening criteria based on CDC
recommendations and are sick with symptoms that are consistent with COVID-19: fever,
cough, and shortness of breath. Asymptomatic patients – or those people who
have no obvious COVID-19 symptoms – will not be tested. This will ensure only
the highest-risk patients are identified and receive the appropriate medical
intervention. The screening will not test for seasonal flu, respiratory
syncytial virus (RSV), or any other respiratory illness.
Patients who meet criteria for testing will be directed to one of the five drive-through
collection points. WVU Medicine staff will collect the specimens, using
appropriate precautions, and send them to Quest Diagnostics or LabCorp for
analysis. This process reduces the need for other critically constrained
resources.
“We are happy to roll these collection sites out to our state and provide
this critical service to our citizens,” Judie Charlton, M.D., WVU Medicine’s
chief medical officer, said. “We only ask that people who are truly sick and
who have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 request testing, which they can
through their primary care doctor or by calling the WVU Medicine COVID-19
triage line at 304-598-6000, option 4.”
WVU Medicine will collect the specimen only if the patient has a valid Epic
order from a referring physician.
“Our process of requiring an Epic order expedites our ability to communicate results back to patients and ensure that appropriate measures have been taken in ordering the test, reporting to government agencies, and providing follow-through care when warranted,” said Dr. Charlton. “Patients whose care is through a provider without Epic access can be accommodated by the treating physician referring the patient to our Covid-19 triage number.”
For more information on COVID-19, visit WVUMedicine.org/covid.
