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| Coronavirus testing updates: Latest options in Virginia, Maryland, D.C. | Coronavirus testing updates: Latest options in Virginia, Maryland, D.C. |
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| The Washington Post is providing this important information about the coronavirus for free. For more free coverage of the coronavirus pandemic, sign up for our daily Coronavirus Updates newsletter where all stories are free to read. | |
| New coronavirus testing sites continue to open across the region — but getting tested still isn’t easy. People need a doctor’s referral and then have to pass the screening put in place by the hospital or clinic that is doing the testing. | New coronavirus testing sites continue to open across the region — but getting tested still isn’t easy. People need a doctor’s referral and then have to pass the screening put in place by the hospital or clinic that is doing the testing. |
| Showing up without a note from a physician or the local or state health department will not only result in disappointment, it may also delay or prevent testing for first responders, health workers and people at a high risk for death from the virus, medical authorities warn. | Showing up without a note from a physician or the local or state health department will not only result in disappointment, it may also delay or prevent testing for first responders, health workers and people at a high risk for death from the virus, medical authorities warn. |
| People being tested should also be aware that it takes about three to seven days to get results, which come from state-run or private laboratories. Thus, new cases announced on a Wednesday, for example, probably came from tests taken a week earlier. | People being tested should also be aware that it takes about three to seven days to get results, which come from state-run or private laboratories. Thus, new cases announced on a Wednesday, for example, probably came from tests taken a week earlier. |
| If you do have a doctor’s note, here is the latest list of known sites in the region where coronavirus sample collection or testing is underway: | If you do have a doctor’s note, here is the latest list of known sites in the region where coronavirus sample collection or testing is underway: |
| ● A drive-through and walk-up covid-19 testing site at United Medical Center, the city’s only public hospital, opened to D.C. residents April 3. The site, which is operated in conjunction with George Washington University Hospital, was first opened to first responders who were referred by their agencies. | ● A drive-through and walk-up covid-19 testing site at United Medical Center, the city’s only public hospital, opened to D.C. residents April 3. The site, which is operated in conjunction with George Washington University Hospital, was first opened to first responders who were referred by their agencies. |
| Patients who have symptoms need to be referred by doctors and get an appointment. They must be D.C. residents who are 65 or older or have underlying health conditions, health-care employees who work at a facility in the city, and D.C. first responders with underlying health conditions. The regular hours will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. A hotline for appointments without a doctor’s referral will be set up later. | Patients who have symptoms need to be referred by doctors and get an appointment. They must be D.C. residents who are 65 or older or have underlying health conditions, health-care employees who work at a facility in the city, and D.C. first responders with underlying health conditions. The regular hours will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. A hotline for appointments without a doctor’s referral will be set up later. |
| Sign up for our Coronavirus Updates newsletter to track the outbreak. All stories linked in the newsletter are free to access. | Sign up for our Coronavirus Updates newsletter to track the outbreak. All stories linked in the newsletter are free to access. |
| ● The District is adding a walk-through, drive-through testing site at the University of the District of Columbia Community College’s Bertie Backus campus across from the Fort Totten Metro station in Northeast Washington. The site will be appointment-only and open on Tuesdays and Thursdays. | ● The District is adding a walk-through, drive-through testing site at the University of the District of Columbia Community College’s Bertie Backus campus across from the Fort Totten Metro station in Northeast Washington. The site will be appointment-only and open on Tuesdays and Thursdays. |
| ● One Medical allows anyone who thinks they have covid-19 symptoms to sign up for a virtual assessment through their app, which can be downloaded here. If testing is deemed necessary, One Medical will refer patients to a testing site, including a new outdoor location in Georgetown. | ● One Medical allows anyone who thinks they have covid-19 symptoms to sign up for a virtual assessment through their app, which can be downloaded here. If testing is deemed necessary, One Medical will refer patients to a testing site, including a new outdoor location in Georgetown. |
| ● Farragut Medical and Travel Care offers tests to anyone who suspects they have or had coronavirus. No doctor’s order is required. Email info@farragutmedical.com or call 202-775-8500 for an appointment. Patients are asked to wear face masks to the office at 818 Connecticut Ave. NW. Insurance is not accepted, but the firm will provide documentation to submit to your own insurer. The standard throat swab, which includes a flu and strep test, costs $525. A fingerpick test for those who may have acquired immunity costs $290. | ● Farragut Medical and Travel Care offers tests to anyone who suspects they have or had coronavirus. No doctor’s order is required. Email info@farragutmedical.com or call 202-775-8500 for an appointment. Patients are asked to wear face masks to the office at 818 Connecticut Ave. NW. Insurance is not accepted, but the firm will provide documentation to submit to your own insurer. The standard throat swab, which includes a flu and strep test, costs $525. A fingerpick test for those who may have acquired immunity costs $290. |
| ● The AllCare Family Medicine & Urgent Care will schedule drive-in coronavirus tests for people with appointments between 6 and 7 p.m. weekdays and noon to 1 p.m. weekends at 1710 Rhode Island Ave. Patients must first be evaluated through a telemedicine visit at www.allcarefamilymed.com. | ● The AllCare Family Medicine & Urgent Care will schedule drive-in coronavirus tests for people with appointments between 6 and 7 p.m. weekdays and noon to 1 p.m. weekends at 1710 Rhode Island Ave. Patients must first be evaluated through a telemedicine visit at www.allcarefamilymed.com. |
| ● Children’s National Hospital has testing for children only in a drive-up and walk-up facility on the campus of Trinity Washington University. A referral from a pediatrician is required, and tests are done three days per week, depending on the weather. Joelle Simpson, medical director of emergency preparedness at Children’s National, said that that is to avoid contamination of the samples in case of rain. | ● Children’s National Hospital has testing for children only in a drive-up and walk-up facility on the campus of Trinity Washington University. A referral from a pediatrician is required, and tests are done three days per week, depending on the weather. Joelle Simpson, medical director of emergency preparedness at Children’s National, said that that is to avoid contamination of the samples in case of rain. |
| ● Kaiser Permanente’s D.C. clinic, located near the Kaiser Permanente Capitol Hill Medical Center, offers drive-up and walk-up testing. The sites are open for testing from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week. The site — as well as Kaiser sites in the suburbs (see below) — requires a doctor’s order and appointment for the test. | ● Kaiser Permanente’s D.C. clinic, located near the Kaiser Permanente Capitol Hill Medical Center, offers drive-up and walk-up testing. The sites are open for testing from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week. The site — as well as Kaiser sites in the suburbs (see below) — requires a doctor’s order and appointment for the test. |
| ● Unity Health Care has also begun testing for the coronavirus at its Minnesota Avenue, Kenilworth Terrace and 14th Street NW locations. Patients should be ready to answer questions about their health and be screened before getting a test. | ● Unity Health Care has also begun testing for the coronavirus at its Minnesota Avenue, Kenilworth Terrace and 14th Street NW locations. Patients should be ready to answer questions about their health and be screened before getting a test. |
| ● George Washington University Hospital in the District’s Foggy Bottom neighborhood began drive-through testing for coronavirus April 6, at 20th Street and H Street NW. The site will also service pedestrian patients at 22nd Street NW and I Street NW. | ● George Washington University Hospital in the District’s Foggy Bottom neighborhood began drive-through testing for coronavirus April 6, at 20th Street and H Street NW. The site will also service pedestrian patients at 22nd Street NW and I Street NW. |
| Testing will be appointment-only, Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Patients will be given a 60-minute window for their testing. Patients will need to get a doctor’s order for the test, and health-care providers can schedule a testing time through the website at www.gwcovid19testing.com. GW is offering phone or video conference with staff members for patients who do not have a provider but have covid-19 symptoms. | Testing will be appointment-only, Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Patients will be given a 60-minute window for their testing. Patients will need to get a doctor’s order for the test, and health-care providers can schedule a testing time through the website at www.gwcovid19testing.com. GW is offering phone or video conference with staff members for patients who do not have a provider but have covid-19 symptoms. |
| FAQ: What you need to know about coronavirus in the DMV | FAQ: What you need to know about coronavirus in the DMV |
| ● Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington set up a temporary drive-through site at 1429 N. Quincy St. The location collects samples from about 60 patients per day and sends them out for testing. It is by appointment only and requires doctor-provided covid-19 test referrals. The site is reserved for Arlington residents, employees or patients of the hospital’s medical staff. | ● Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington set up a temporary drive-through site at 1429 N. Quincy St. The location collects samples from about 60 patients per day and sends them out for testing. It is by appointment only and requires doctor-provided covid-19 test referrals. The site is reserved for Arlington residents, employees or patients of the hospital’s medical staff. |
| ● Kaiser Permanente has drive-through testing locations for its members in Woodbridge and Tysons. The sites are open for testing from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week, and require a doctor’s order and appointment. | ● Kaiser Permanente has drive-through testing locations for its members in Woodbridge and Tysons. The sites are open for testing from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week, and require a doctor’s order and appointment. |
| ● Inova Health System set up three of its urgent-care centers at Dulles South, North Arlington and Tysons to screen all patients with symptoms connected to respiratory illnesses and provide drive-through sample collection for tests that have been ordered by physicians. All three clinics are open daily, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. | ● Inova Health System set up three of its urgent-care centers at Dulles South, North Arlington and Tysons to screen all patients with symptoms connected to respiratory illnesses and provide drive-through sample collection for tests that have been ordered by physicians. All three clinics are open daily, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| ● PM Pediatrics in Fairfax County has opened a drive-up coronavirus testing center at 11056 Lee Highway. Only pediatric patients who have been evaluated by a pediatric expert, either in person or via the firm’s app, are eligible for the test. The only other site where the 55-clinic company offers the test is in Wayne, Pa. | ● PM Pediatrics in Fairfax County has opened a drive-up coronavirus testing center at 11056 Lee Highway. Only pediatric patients who have been evaluated by a pediatric expert, either in person or via the firm’s app, are eligible for the test. The only other site where the 55-clinic company offers the test is in Wayne, Pa. |
| So there’s been a stay-at-home order. Here’s what it means to you. | So there’s been a stay-at-home order. Here’s what it means to you. |
| Three coronavirus testing sites opened March 30 at vehicle emissions sites in Glen Burnie in Anne Arundel County, Waldorf in Charles County and Bel Air in Harford County. | Three coronavirus testing sites opened March 30 at vehicle emissions sites in Glen Burnie in Anne Arundel County, Waldorf in Charles County and Bel Air in Harford County. |
| The sites were designed to “pull people away from” emergency rooms and doctors’ offices and provide alternatives, said Fran Phillips, the state’s deputy secretary for public health services. | The sites were designed to “pull people away from” emergency rooms and doctors’ offices and provide alternatives, said Fran Phillips, the state’s deputy secretary for public health services. |
| They are reserved for people with symptoms who are either a health-care worker, a first responder, over 65 years old, live in group homes or are deemed “medically unstable” by their doctor. Only people who have an order from their doctor or have an appointment will be tested. | They are reserved for people with symptoms who are either a health-care worker, a first responder, over 65 years old, live in group homes or are deemed “medically unstable” by their doctor. Only people who have an order from their doctor or have an appointment will be tested. |
| A screening site at FedEx Field in Prince George’s County, run by the Prince George’s County Health Department, will accept patients by appointment only. Those who normally go to hospitals or emergency rooms to receive primary health care should call the county health department at 301-883-6627 if they believe they have been exposed to and are exhibiting symptoms associated with this virus. | A screening site at FedEx Field in Prince George’s County, run by the Prince George’s County Health Department, will accept patients by appointment only. Those who normally go to hospitals or emergency rooms to receive primary health care should call the county health department at 301-883-6627 if they believe they have been exposed to and are exhibiting symptoms associated with this virus. |
| ● Kaiser Permanente has testing sites for its members in Gaithersburg, Largo and South Baltimore, with the same hours and criteria as in Virginia. | ● Kaiser Permanente has testing sites for its members in Gaithersburg, Largo and South Baltimore, with the same hours and criteria as in Virginia. |
| ● Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center has coronavirus testing only for critically ill patients who are likely to need hospitalization, said spokeswoman Lydia Parris. The hospital has no community testing sites, she said. | ● Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center has coronavirus testing only for critically ill patients who are likely to need hospitalization, said spokeswoman Lydia Parris. The hospital has no community testing sites, she said. |
| ● The National Guard has set up a screening and testing location in the Washington Redskins stadium’s parking lot. Tests are available only by preregistration through a physician. | ● The National Guard has set up a screening and testing location in the Washington Redskins stadium’s parking lot. Tests are available only by preregistration through a physician. |
| ● MedStar Health on March 27 opened a drive-through testing tent in the parking lot next to the Pauline Betz Addie Tennis Center at 7801 Democracy Blvd. in Bethesda. It is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Patients can only be tested after being screened on MedStar’s online platform or being referred by primary-care providers. | ● MedStar Health on March 27 opened a drive-through testing tent in the parking lot next to the Pauline Betz Addie Tennis Center at 7801 Democracy Blvd. in Bethesda. It is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Patients can only be tested after being screened on MedStar’s online platform or being referred by primary-care providers. |
| ● Starting April 22, Montgomery County health officials began testing at a drive-through site in the Wheaton Community Recreation Center. Those tests are being done by appointment only. | ● Starting April 22, Montgomery County health officials began testing at a drive-through site in the Wheaton Community Recreation Center. Those tests are being done by appointment only. |
| ● On April 27, Montgomery County will open another drive-through testing site at the Upcounty Regional Services Center in Germantown, also by appointment only. | ● On April 27, Montgomery County will open another drive-through testing site at the Upcounty Regional Services Center in Germantown, also by appointment only. |
| ●Holy Cross Health hospitals, in Silver Spring and Germantown, have tents to triage patients with influenza-like illnesses, including the coronavirus. Patients then may be tested in the emergency room, spokeswoman Kristin Feliciano said, but the hospitals are not set up to receive walk-in community members looking for tests. Anyone suspecting they have symptoms should first contact their primary-care provider and should call the hospital before turning up there. | ●Holy Cross Health hospitals, in Silver Spring and Germantown, have tents to triage patients with influenza-like illnesses, including the coronavirus. Patients then may be tested in the emergency room, spokeswoman Kristin Feliciano said, but the hospitals are not set up to receive walk-in community members looking for tests. Anyone suspecting they have symptoms should first contact their primary-care provider and should call the hospital before turning up there. |
| ● Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, part of the Johns Hopkins network, offers testing for patients who do not need emergency care and who have been referred by their Johns Hopkins doctor specifically for covid-19 testing. | ● Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, part of the Johns Hopkins network, offers testing for patients who do not need emergency care and who have been referred by their Johns Hopkins doctor specifically for covid-19 testing. |
| ● The private health-care provider Kelly Goodman NP & Associates is doing drive-through testing at the Waldorf School in Bethesda, available Wednesdays and Fridays. Their Clarksville, Md., office will also offer drive-through testing on Fridays. To schedule a test, call 202-684-7167. | ● The private health-care provider Kelly Goodman NP & Associates is doing drive-through testing at the Waldorf School in Bethesda, available Wednesdays and Fridays. Their Clarksville, Md., office will also offer drive-through testing on Fridays. To schedule a test, call 202-684-7167. |
| This is a developing story. It will be updated as new information becomes available. | This is a developing story. It will be updated as new information becomes available. |
| Kyle Swenson, Erin Cox, Darran Simon and Rebecca Tan contributed to this report. | Kyle Swenson, Erin Cox, Darran Simon and Rebecca Tan contributed to this report. |