Augusta University Health offers pre-scheduled drive-through COVID-19 specimen collection

As the number of cases of COVID-19 rise throughout Georgia, Augusta University Health is offering drive-through testing at Christenberry Fieldhouse, 3109 Wrightsboro Road, for pre-selected patients. 

Beginning Wednesday, March 18, the drive-through clinic will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is only available for patients who receive a positive screening through the free AU Health COVID-19 Virtual Screening app at augustahealth.org/COVID19. These individuals will receive an appointment before coming on site. 

Individuals who show up without an appointment will be redirected to the free virtual care pre-screening app.

“The COVID-19 outbreak is evolving daily and AU Health is proud to offer drive-through testing to the community during these uncertain times,” said Katrina Keefer, chief executive officer for Augusta University Health System and executive vice president for health affairs at Augusta University. “One of AU Health’s first presumptive cases resulted from utilizing the drive-through testing concept. It is a priority for us to provide greater access for those who may need testing the most without exposing others.”

To limit virus exposure and risk, anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever, cough and shortness of breath, are encouraged to use the virtual care app or to call the health system’s hotline at 706-721-1852 before visiting the emergency room, urgent care or doctor’s office.

Drive-through testing has been successful in many areas of the country as hospitals work to increase testing capability and limit exposure. AU Health has already had over 240 calls to the COVID-19 hotline and seen about 200 virtual visits through its virtual screening app, with an average visit time of 10 minutes or less.  AU Health expects to be able to rapidly expand testing as part of its new drive-through testing location.