Montgomery’s first coronavirus health clinic opened on Monday, and screening is only available for those that have symptoms and call to schedule an appointment.
The clinic is being staffed with employees of Baptist Health and is an outpost of that organization.
All in the area who believe they have symptoms must call 334-747-0150 first to see if they warrant a visit to the clinic for a screening.
Only people currently experiencing symptoms of the coronavirus will be screened for the disease. According to the CDC, the three main symptoms are fever, cough and shortness of breath.
The clinic is located at 2936 Marti Lane. It does not accept any walk-up patients.
Those deemed in need of a test will be able to drive up to a designated parking space where the screening will be administered.
Baptist Health says the clinic is designed this way because “a screening administered in the car prevents the spreading of germs in a waiting room setting.”
The sample given by an individual during the screening will be shipped to a nearby lab, where the coronavirus test will take place.
Samples are generally swabs from the mouth and/or nose, according to a report from the Montgomery Advertiser.
The results should be returned in about 24 hours, and are never longer than 72 hours.
So far, two patients have been confirmed to have the coronavirus in the River Region, one in Montgomery County and one in Elmore County.
Twenty-eight Alabama residents are confirmed to have the virus as of 2:00 p.m. on Monday.
“This is a proactive approach,” said Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed of the new clinic.
He added, “I encourage all the residents of Montgomery to listen to the experts, to stay at home, to practice social distancing as much as possible.”
Henry Thornton is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can contact him by email: [email protected] or on Twitter @HenryThornton95.
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