Patient First locations will provide drive-up COVID-19 testing, appointment only

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Patient First will be providing drive-up COVID-19 testing by appointment only. Testing times have been expanded.

Patient First’s testing locations are:

• Parham Road at I-64
• Genito Road at Hull Street Road
• Patient First Mechanicsville at 7238 Mechanicsville Turnpike
• Patient First in Colonial Heights on Temple Avenue

On May 14, Patient First will begin drive-up testing by appointment in Colonial Heights located on Temple Avenue. Appointments at the Colonial Heights center may be scheduled now by calling the center at 804-518-2597.

Patient First says it has extended testing hours at all Richmond area testing sites.

The new extended hours are 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2 p.m.-6 p.m. every day of the week.

Appointments are made by calling a designated testing center.

Patients are then asked about symptoms and risk factors to determine whether they meet screening criteria based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). In order to be tested, a patient must either have a symptom or symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat) or be a healthcare worker or first responder.

Test samples will be collected outside of the center. Staff members collecting samples are equipped with proper PPE, including an N95 mask, gloves, eye protection and gown. Samples are sent to a third-party reference lab for testing. Results are expected to be ready between two and seven days.

“When patients arrive, we ask them to park by the testing tent which will be visible in front of the center. Once you get here, you will complete registration and then a physician or assistant will perform an exam and then collect a sample that will be sent off to the lab for testing,” Ian Slinkman said.

A Patient First nurse will call each patient once results are available, to share results, provide guidance and answer questions.

For patients who are insured, there is no out-of-pocket expense for COVID-19 testing.

“For self-paying patients, there’s a $90 charge for the exam and sample connection,” Slinkman said.

For those uninsured, there’s an additional fee of $51.31 that will come from the lab.

All Patient First centers have taken steps to provide a safe environment for patients and staff, including requiring all patients and staff to wear masks while inside the center, thoroughly disinfecting surfaces throughout the center at regular intervals, requiring frequent hand washing and limiting visitors to only essential family members.

For more updates about testing sites and instructions on how to make an appointment, visit Patient First’s website.

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