Drive-up testing for the COVID-19 virus could be available as early as this week for people with a doctor’s order requesting one.
Kyle is one of five locations where the testing will be available, Austin Regional Clinic (ARC) announced on Monday.
Patients with an order from an ARC physician will be able to visit the nearest testing site, where an ARC clinician will screen them to “ensure they are not experiencing breathing difficulties,” and are in need of immediate attention, ARC said in a news release.
Patients not requiring immediate medical attention will undergo a nasal swab, which will be sent to a lab. Results are expected within 2 to 10 days. ARC says that “currently, state labs are not charging patients for this test and most insurance companies have agreed to cover costs for tests at commercial labs.”
Anyone who shows up without a doctor’s order will be given information on scheduling a telemedicine appointment.
Those appointments can be scheduled at the ARC’s COVID-19 hotline, 866-453-4525. ARC said the Kyle location will be in a tent at ARC Kyle Plum Creek, 4100 Everett St. Others are in Austin and Round Rock.
