The Allegheny Valley Health Network held its first coronavirus testing field operation at the Heights Plaza shopping center in Harrison on Friday.
An AHN spokeswoman said 17 people were tested at the drive-thru tent set up in the parking lot.
It will now be open Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Only patients who have been evaluated for covid-19 symptoms by an AHN-affiliated health care provider and have a prescription order may be tested at the sites. On-demand or walk-up testing will not be available at the Harrison location, the network said.
The network is encouraging patients, especially those with covid-19 or flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough and shortness of breath, to use its online or telephone hotline options to get a test order and reduce exposure to others.
After a covid-19 test is ordered, AHN will contact patients directly to set up a collection appointment. Patients are given a specific appointment window to minimize wait times.
Samples will be tested for influenza and the novel coronavirus.
The network advises patients to stay at home while waiting for test results, which will take five to seven days.
