By Max Bowen-max.bowen@northstarreporter.com
Sturdy Memorial Urgent Care is offering a drive-through COVID-19 testing service for those referred by a provider.
According to a press release on the hospital’s web site, the service is available to patients who have been referred by a Sturdy Memorial provider and who meet Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) criteria for testing. Those who are not a Sturdy Memorial Associates [SMA] patient can call 508-695-2020 and be given a time for a virtual visit with a physician, who will determine if they need to be tested. The urgent care center is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
“We wanted to make sure that we met the needs of SMA patients, but it was important to expand the need to the rest of the community,” said Blair Bisher, Chief Operating Officer of Sturdy Memorial Associates.
According to Bisher, the drive-through service can accommodate 50 tests a day, and performed 32 when it opened on Wednesday, March 25. He said the turnaround time is approximately 48 hours, but this is subject to change as labs increase their ability to process more kits and bring more staff on board.
Bisher said the hospital is aggressively pursuing more testing kits and hopes to expand this number in the near future. Like many hospitals, they are facing a potential shortage of Personal Protective Equipment, and are seeking out more as the pandemic continues.
This service is by appointment only, and no walk-in patients will be accepted. In an effort to reduce exposure to other individuals, approved patients will not leave their cars for treatment. Sturdy Memorial Urgent Care is located at 266 Washington St., South Attleboro.
Those experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 are advised to call their primary care provider prior to going to a medical clinic or the emergency room. Those who need a primary care provider can visit Find A Provider or call the Coronavirus Community HOTLINE at 508-236-7676.
