DARTMOUTH – Southcoast Health System Inc. has opened one of the first drive-thru COVID-19 testing sites in Bristol County, Mass., The Herald News reported March 23.
The drive-thru will only be available to health care workers and patients who meet Mass. Department of Public Health criteria for testing and who have an appointment.
The state had 777 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 25 in Bristol County, Mass., and nine confirmed deaths, according to a March 23 state health department report.
Located at a Southcoast ambulatory facility deemed nonessential and temporarily closed during the coronavirus pandemic, the drive-thru “will be used to test health care providers and emergency medical technicians who have worked in direct clinical care while symptomatic, and have fever plus signs or symptoms of respiratory illness,” such as cough or shortness of breath, the Herald reported.
People in close contact with confirmed COVID-19 patients in congregate settings while symptomatic, and in close contact with numerous other people, will also be tested.