COVID-19 on-site testing services are essential for American families, healthcare providers, and employees working on the frontline. These tests were awarded Emergency Use Authorizations by the FDA to help detect coronavirus.
With walk-through or drive-through test sites, contact tracing is faster despite lockdown restrictions. They also prevent the surge of patients in hospitals, emergency rooms, and healthcare facilities.
The state and local health department websites always have the latest local information on COVID-19 when it comes to on-site testing services.
Why do we need COVID-19 on-site testing?
The rate of fatalities and hospitalization in the United States is declining. The spread and severity of the virus seem to remain stable too. In fact, the infection fatality ratio then was only 0.65%.
However, the number of fatalities cannot be overlooked. And, as businesses reopen, coronavirus outbreaks could be expected to rise again. The biological and epidemiological characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 make it a dangerous disease for specific groups. The elderly and those with comorbidities, for example, are at a higher risk of infection.
The younger populations are likely to contribute to community transmission of COVID-19 as they return to work or go back to school. Asymptomatic and presymptomatic patients may or may not experience coronavirus symptoms. It’s vital for public health and safety to observe social distancing protocols. It’s also important to comply with temperature screenings before entering public spaces, such as supermarkets, shopping malls, airports, and workplaces.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides up-to-date information on the COVID-19 pandemic on its website. This includes continuous contact tracing in states, regions, and municipalities. COVID-19 on-site testing sites are also helping flatten the curve in local communities.
COVID-19 on-site testing near me is called by many other names:
- Mobile clinics
- Mobile centers
- Mobile sites
- Mobile test clinics
- Mobile test centers
- Mobile test sites
- Community-based testing sites
- Community testing sites
- Drive through testing sites
- Drive-thru testing sites
- Contactless testing centers
- Pop-up testing centers
What to expect at COVID-19 testing sites
COVID testing centers offer both COVID-19 nasal swab testing and COVID-19 antibody testing. As coronavirus cases continue to arise across the country, it’s imperative to provide fast, safe, and reliable testing services for urban and rural communities.
Here are important things to know about COVID-19 on-site testing sites:
- If the testing center has a public webpage, read about its on-site coronavirus testing information first.
- If the on-site testing is for a scheduled event, inquire about available appointment dates and times.
- Ask if testing services are available outside of normal business hours.
- Find out if you need to undergo online or phone screenings from a health professional to assess patient risk prior to on-site COVID-19 testing.
- Please bring a valid ID and your medical insurance, if you have one, before proceeding to the testing site.
- If you have no Medicaid coverage, ask if you are eligible under the CARES Act.
- Observe a safe distance away from personnel whether they’re wearing PPE or not.
COVID-19 On-Site Testing Near Me
There are different types of COVID-19 tests available so it’s important to make this clear to the healthcare professionals who’ll be performing on-site testing for you. Current COVID tests available are:
- COVID-19 RT-PCR test
- Rapid antigen test
- COVID-19 antibody test
Make sure that you’re getting reliable testing services from licensed medical professionals who have been performing on-site coronavirus testing services. Be proactive in protecting yourself and others from coronavirus.
