Where can Mecklenburg County residents get tested for the novel coronavirus?

Mecklenburg County residents seeking testing for the novel coronavirus have limited options as the North Carolina state lab struggles to obtain critical supplies from the federal government.

North Carolina is working to ramp up its capacity while also broadening testing criteria to include more people.

On Friday, Mecklenburg Health Director Gibbie Harris said county officials have extremely limited ability to test, and some people may be seeking tests who don’t need one.

“We really do not have the information we need to say what the total extent of the issue is in Mecklenburg County right now,” Harris said. “We continue to encourage the community to be very vigilant about taking care of themselves.”

For individuals in the Charlotte area experiencing a fever or lower respiratory symptoms — and who have had close contact with confirmed COVID-19 cases — there are options. COVID019 is the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

People who do not have symptoms or who have not been exposed to the new coronavirus are generally considered to not be in need of testing.

Harris and others are urging people to call their doctor before going in person to seek medical advice or treatment. It is necessary to be screened first before receiving a test.

How do I contact the health department?

Mecklenburg County Department of Health has a coronavirus hotline. Residents seeking information or reporting what may be potential coronavirus symptoms should call 980-314-9400.

Are public health clinics offering testing?

Not yet, according to County Manager Dena Diorio.

“We’re really encouraging people if they don’t feel well to go to urgent care or their medical provider to be screened for testing,” Diorio said Wednesday.

But call before you go.

Calling ahead is necessary to protect other people at the facility, including health care workers, Harris emphasized Friday.

“Please don’t just show up asking for a test,” Harris said.

Can I go directly to the doctor if I’m feeling sick?

The CDC recommends that people call their healthcare providers before heading to a doctor’s office or local hospital. That way, doctors can adequately prepare for visits and limit other patients’ exposure to a potential COVID-19 case.

North Carolina has loosened some of the criteria for coronavirus testing. But at the moment, the state Department of Health and Human Services says it is not necessary for everyone to be tested for COVID-19. And tests are in short supply.

Not all doctor’s offices or health care facilities have the ability to test for coronavirus.

Can I drive-thru for a coronavirus test?

As of Friday, the Observer heard from one medical facility with drive-thru testing underway.

Tryon Medical Partners, which serves more than 130,000 Mecklenburg residents, told the Observer Friday that it has more than 300 COVID-19 tests on hand.

As a precautionary measure, the medical group has been testing patients from their cars. People receive the test only after they’ve been tested and are shown to not have the flu, according to CEO Dr. Dale Owen.

“The most important thing for everyone to realize is there are not enough tests available to go around ... (But) on a daily basis, it improves,” Owen said in an interview Friday. “We as physicians are going to have to prioritize who meets the criteria the best.”

Where is Novant Health screening?

Novant Health opened coronavirus screening centers on Friday, including a location at 3330 Siskey Parkway in Matthews, which will operate weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Another center will open on March 18 at 16525 Holly Crest Lane in Huntersville, according to a Friday press release.

Novant announced Friday it will also set up triage tents outside of emergency departments at Presbyterian Medical Center, Forsyth Medical Center and Rowan Medical Center.

What’s the testing criteria in North Carolina?

Testing in the state is restricted to people who have a fever or lower respiratory symptoms — and who have had close contact in the last two weeks with a person who has a confirmed COVID-19 case, according to N.C. DHHS.

After meeting those criteria, a rapid flu test will be administered. If it’s negative, a person is eligible for a coronavirus test.

“If they were deemed appropriate to be tested, they need to be in isolation for at least three days until they get the results of the tests,” Owen said. “We all need to be appropriate stewards of the community’s health.”

Can I go to LabCorp for coronavirus testing?

No, not directly.

The Burlington-based company rolled out COVID-19 tests on March 5.

LabCorp has the capacity to perform “several thousands tests per day and is rapidly adding new equipment and staff to create additional capacity,” a company spokesman said.

But LabCorp is not the medical entity that’s collecting specimens for COVID-19. That means people should plan to visit their physicians or other healthcare providers — not LabCorp patient service centers — if they need to be tested for the coronavirus, according to a LabCorp Q&A.

“The specimen must be collected by the ordering clinician and then be sent to LabCorp using standard procedures,” a company spokesman said. “The turnaround time to provide test results is typically three to four days from the pickup of the specimen to release of the test result.”

What about virtual visits?

Atrium Health recommends that people with respiratory symptoms use video chats.

“The provider can help determine what the patient is dealing with and what next steps are in order,” Atrium spokesman Dan Fogleman said in a statement to The Charlotte Observer. “This keeps them out of unneeded emergency room visits and costs (and having to wait there), while also limiting the spread of illness.”

Atrium’s Virtual Visit is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The service doesn’t require appointments, according to Atrium’s website.

Novant Health also offers video visits, with providers available on demand. Patients with coronavirus questions can call Novant’s hotline at 877-499-1697.

What about calling 911?

People experiencing medical emergencies should notify dispatchers about any possible COVID-19 exposures — and put on face masks before personnel arrive, according to the CDC.

This story was originally published March 13, 2020 at 3:36 PM.