Wayne Memorial Hospital officials say the availability of more COVID-19 testing materials means more people can get tested at their mobile site at the Wayne County Fairgrounds, Route 191 North, Honesdale. The site, open since mid-March, also offers respiratory panel testing. A prescription is required for both.
“This site offers fast, convenient testing,” said James Hockenbury, director Ancillary services, “people do not have to get out of their vehicles or go to the hospital.”
The criteria for a prescription has not changed— it’s still given only to people who are either symptomatic or have been exposed to the virus either through contact or travel. But testing has come a long way since it was initiated several months ago.
“We have more labs offering analysis and faster turn-around times,” said Hockenbury. He noted that several factors play into determining which lab receives the specimens, but some patients may find out their results in less than 48 hours.
The mobile lab site is open Monday through Saturday, 8am to 4pm.
Photo: Wayne Memorial laboratory technologists Angelica Jean-Philippe, Nancy O’Connell and Kim Bates at the Wayne County Fairgrounds.