By Max Bowen-max.bowen@northstarreporter.com
Following weeks of being run as a COVID-19 testing center, Sturdy Memorial Hospital’s urgent care center in South Attleborough has re-opened for other health services.
The center, located at 266 Washington St., became a testing center in the early days of the pandemic, processing around 60 tests each day according to Sturdy Memorial CEO Blair Bisher. It was closed to all other services, being solely dedicated to this task, which saw patients in the SMH network and those referred from its urgent care center in Plainville.
“We want to make sure people have access [to the urgent care center],” said Bisher.
Among the health services offered at the center are on-site lab and x-rays, same-day appointments, adult and pediatric care, and telehealth. Bisher said that the hospital is handling COVID-19 testing, both for those exhibiting symptoms and anyone going in for surgical procedures.
Bisher said that while the urgent care center was testing for COVID-19, it was consistently processing 60 a day, but saw a two-week period where it dropped into the teens. The number has since gone up, though only 20 percent of these are for those with symptoms of the virus.
“The positive number of cases has fallen to less than 1 percent,” he said. “Which is a great indication.”
Patients are asked to call 844-879-0071 before coming to the facility so they can be screened for COVID-19. Depending on symptoms and medical condition, a telehealth or in-person visit may be offered. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. and weekends, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
