First of 4 AHN drive-up coronavirus test sites opens in Pine

The first of four Allegheny Health Network drive-up coronavirus test sites opened Wednesday in Pine, and three more should be operational by the end of the week, officials said.

The first to be up and running is in the parking garage adjacent to AHN’s Wexford Health + Wellness Pavilion. The three other sites — in Monroeville, Bethel Park and Erie — will be operational within the week, said Dr. Brian Parker, chief quality and learning officer. The collection sites will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“We really want to spread the collection sites throughout our footprint,” said Dr. William Johnjulio, chair of AHN’s primary care institute. “It’s more convenient for many of our patients.”

It’s also safer to test patients in their cars than in a hospital setting, he said, as it keeps them away from waiting rooms where they could spread the virus if they have it. They’re also encouraging patients to call or video conference with their AHN doctors rather than visit them in the office.

Johnjulio said patients will be directed to self-quarantine while they await the test results.

Only patients who have been evaluated by an AHN-affiliated health care provider and have a prescription may be tested at the drive-up sites at this time.

Dr. Thomas Walsh said on-demand testing is not something the health network is actively pursuing.

“I think that’s something that has a potential downside,” he said, noting that they want to make sure those who are critically ill are the ones referred to the emergency department.

Parker said testing negative can give people a false sense of security — if they develop symptoms later, they might not seek the right care because they previously tested negative.

The goal is to keep emergency departments from becoming overwhelmed by patients who do not have symptoms or do not need in-patient care, Parker said. For those who are young, healthy and without risk factors, it is “completely healthy to self-quarantine.”

Earlier this week, Central Outreach Wellness Center conducted drive-up testing at locations on the North Shore, Aliquippa and Washington for people who had symptoms of the virus.