Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals begin drive-thru coronavirus testing

[OhioChick]

Mar 14, 2020 / 10:19 PM EDT

CLEVELAND (WJW)-- The Cleveland Clinic started drive-thru coronavirus testing for its patients Saturday morning. University Hospitals will begin on Monday.

The testing site, located at the garage of the Walker Building in University Circle on Euclid Avenue, will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week. Patients can stay in their car for the nasal and throat swabs. Results will be available in about 24 hours.

Cleveland Clinic Dr. Robert Wyllie emphasized this is for patients with doctors' orders for the testing. He said while they have the capacity to do a few hundred tests, it is still a limited commodity and they have to test people who are symptomatic first.

The hope is for Cleveland's hospitals to avoid dealing with crowded emergency departments.

https://fox8.com/news/coronavirus/cleveland-clinic-university-hospitals-begin-drive-thru-coronavirus-testing/

[LaurenOlimina]

1. I was by there today.

The line was about 3/4 mile long to get in.

[OhioChick]

2. That's crazy

What I don't understand is these are people who are exhibiting signs of the virus and you need a "doctor's order" to pass to the tester.

From what I've read, if you "think" you have symptoms, you're supposed to "call" your primary and he/she will instruct you on whether they believe you need testing or not.

If your physician believes you need the test, how would you go about getting a doctor's order to supply to the tester? (Since physicians don't want you in the office due to spread to others there)

[LaurenOlimina]

3. Jesus, then that line was triaged!?!

Holy fuck.

[OhioChick]

4. Oh yeah.....

I'm sort of concerned at the moment because my primary left one hospital to go to the other and until my records are sent to him, I'm not a patient of his anymore, as per his office staff.