USA Health tops 15,000 COVID-19 tests

As the COVID-19 global pandemic continues, staff at USA Health's drive-through testing center are evolving processes to meet the needs of patients and the community. Since April 2020, more than 15,000 COVID-19 tests have been administered to detect the novel coronavirus, with more than 10,000 patients tested since June 19, 2020, when the site moved to the Mobile Civic Center.

In recent weeks, testing site staff have traveled to administer tests to groups including the University of South Alabama football team and other athletic teams at USA. Since the pandemic began, USA Health staff have also performed tests on patients, first responders including law enforcement, fire fighters, nursing home workers, county jail staff and USA Health personnel.

USA Health offers drive-through testing to the general public and its patients by appointment only Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. Staff members work seven days a week to ensure patients receive test results as quickly as possible, said Natalie S. Fox, DNP, PNP-BC, chief nursing officer for USA Health physician practices.

For the comfort of patients, a new nasal swab now is being used at the drive-through testing site. "Before, we were doing the deep nasal swab," said Pamela Taylor, NP, who works in Family Medicine at USA Health. "Now, we use what's known as a mid turbinate swab so it doesn’t go as far back. It tends to be a little more comfortable and not as painful as the deep swab used previously."

As a reminder, testing is by appointment only, and those seeking testing should call 1-888-USA-2650 (1-888-872-2650). Phones are answered weekdays from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. No one will be admitted to the site for testing without an appointment and proper identification. USA Health patients can continue to contact their USA Health provider if they believe they need to be tested.