Drive-Thru Screening and Collection Site for Patients with a Physician Order COVID-19 Test

News

Wednesday, 25 March 2020 09:00

Highlands Medical Center, in coordination with city and county agencies, is opening a drive-thru screening and collection site for patients with a physician order to be tested for COVID-19.  The screening site will be open today,Wednesday, March 25 through Friday, March 27 from 10 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.  It is located at the Scottsboro Junior High School on Heroes Drive.  Only patients with a physician order and appointment will receive service through the drive-thru screening and collection site.  People without a physician order will not be screened.

People who have symptoms of the virus should call their primary care physician for an initial screening and next steps.  Those people who do not have a primary care physician should call an urgent care or rural health clinic.  If you are unable to reach a physician for a discussion, call the Alabama Department of Public Health HOTLINE with your questions by dialing 211.  

Patients with a physician order who meet screening and collection criteria but are uninsured will be screened for temporary Medicaid on site. 

HMC is leading this effort with the Scottsboro Mayor’s Office, Jackson County Commission, Jackson County EMA, Scottsboro City School System, Jackson County School System, Scottsboro Police Department, Jackson County Sheriff’s Department and public works departments to provide a safe and well prepared site for screening patients in our community. 

In preparation for today’s screening site opening, an initial run of the drive-thru was conducted on Monday, March 23, in order to help provide a safe experience for our community.  Members of the general public without a physician order for testing are urged to stay away from the site in order to maintain an orderly flow of traffic through the area.  This will allow the medical professionals to focus on proper collection and safety.