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Sentara offers drive-thru screening, testing for COVID-19

Sentara Healthcare set up three locations in Hampton Roads to test people for coronavirus, particularly, those who are considered high-risk patients.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Sentara Healthcare said it would begin offering drive-thru screening and testing for COVID-19 Monday, March 16 at three of its facilities in Hampton Roads.

The locations were:

  • Sentara Princess Anne Hospital, 2025 Glenn Mitchell Drive, Virginia Beach
  • Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center, 100 Sentara Circle, Williamsburg
  • Sentara Edinburgh, 1933 Edwin Drive, Chesapeake

The time for each location Monday was 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Sentara said on Tuesday, March 17, it would begin offering the screening from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week. It expected to offer more locations in the near future.

The health care system provides information for people that covered what they would need to know before they went to a site and what they could expect once they got there.

Before You Head to a Testing Site 

Ask yourself these questions:

1. Do you have 2 of the 3 symptoms below? 

  • Fever (100.4 degrees or higher)
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath

AND 

2. In the last month, have you been in contact with someone who was confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19 OR have you traveled internationally or to an area with a known COVID-19 outbreak? (Check the latest high-risk travel areas here.)

If you answered NO to one or both questions:

  • Stay home. Continue to follow the CDC recommended prevention methods and monitor for a change in symptoms.

IF you answered YES to both questions:

  • If you are below age 60 and have no other health issues, you should stay home and self-quarantine for 14 days. If you have to be out in the community or if your symptoms worsen, come to one of the drive-thru locations to be screened.

If you are over age 60, come to one of our drive-thru screening locations.

RELATED: Sentara to limit hospital visitation due to coronavirus

When You Arrive

  1. STAY IN YOUR VEHICLE.
  2. Follow the “COVID-19 Screening Location” signs and drive up to the screening tent. 
  • Step 1: A clinician will ask you a series of questions.
  • Then, based on your answers, you will be sent home or continue to Step 2.
  • Step 2: You will be screened by a healthcare provider. They will determine if you need testing.
  • Then, based on your screening, you will be sent home or continue to Step 3.
  • Step 3: You will be tested using a nasal or an oral swab. NOTE: If you receive a swab, education will be provided to protect yourself and others.

If You Are Tested

  • You will provide your personal information and receive a phone call once your test results are known.
  • If you are already a Sentara patient, your results also will be added to your Sentara MyChart or Sentara Account.
  • Be patient. At this time, it can take up to 5 days to receive test results. 

After You Are Tested

You will be asked to self-quarantine until Sentara receives your results.

If your symptoms require additional medical care, you will be directed to available services.

RELATED: Peninsula, Southside health departments set up COVID-19 call centers

In addition to establishing drive-thru sites, Sentara set up a call center that began serving the community at 9 a.m. on March 16.

The number is 1.833.945.2395.

The Sentara COVID-19 Call Center operates seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

It is able to:

  • Direct callers to appropriate resources based on nurses' evaluations
  • Answer questions about signs and symptoms based on current CDC guidelines
  • Provide information on Sentara policies and our COVID-19 response

The call center will not schedule appointments, provide testing recommendations, or provide test results.

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