The Philadelphia health care systems are offering more mobile tests for coronavirus. Currently, most drive-thru test sites are for patients with in-network referrals only.
Jefferson Health has mobile testing sites at each of its major locations (Center City, Abington, Northeast Philadelphia and New Jersey) to facilitate fast and effective drive-through and walk-up COVID-19 testing for Jefferson patients with physician-ordered tests. These tests are only for Jefferson patients with a doctor’s referral.
There is also a temporary testing site atAbington Hospital for patients referred to by their Abington-Jefferson Health Primary Care Physician.
Jefferson Health said these “testing locations are designed to help control infection and limit symptomatic patients (non-emergent) from entering enclosed care spaces such as crowded emergency rooms.”
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Main Line Health and Penn Medicine are also offering drive-up testing for in-network patients referred to by their own hospital doctors.
Penn Medicine has drive-thru testing at its West Philadelphia and Radnor locations for those prescribed by a Penn physician. Testing is free for uninsured patients.
Main Line Health started drive-up tests at their offices in Radnor and Newtown Square. This is for their patients who have been referred for testing by a Main Line Health physician.
Temple Health is testing on its main campus. It says its emergency departments at Temple University Hospital, Jeanes Campus and Episcopal Campus do not offer routine coronavirus testing. “If you or someone you know is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, please refer to the Pennsylvania Department of Health for information on getting tested.”
ChristianaCare opened a Provider Referral Center in New Castle County to provide coronavirus COVID-19 testing for individuals who are symptomatic and have received a prescription for testing from their doctor.
At a Tuesday afternoon press conference in Philadelphia, Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley said, “I don’t have details but we are working very actively with partners at the federal government to try to have one or more large scale testing sites available.”
The recommendation coming from local health departments is that citizens with mild symptoms should stay at home. In case of showing severe symptoms: a fever over 100 degrees, shortness of breath, and cough, then a health care provider or the local health department has to be called.
In Pennsylvania, the PA Department of Health is available at 1-877-PA-Health. In New Jersey, the 24/7 COVID-19 public call center is available at 1-800-962-1253. In Delaware, the Division of Public Health can be called at 1-866-408-1899.
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