FirstHealth of the Carolinas closed the COVID-19 drive-thru testing site in Pinehurst at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 20. The closure comes as rain impacted operations on Thursday and as FirstHealth transitions drive-up COVID testing to FirstHealth Convenient Care locations throughout the Sandhills.
“We have tested thousands of people in the last two weeks, and our staff in Pinehurst have worked long hours – often in very cold temperatures – to meet the increased demand for COVID-19 testing,” Dan Barnes, D.O., president of FirstHealth Physician Group, said.
“We will shift those resources to Convenient Care clinics to continue to provide COVID-19 testing seven days a week.”
FirstHealth Convenient Care will offer drive-up COVID-19 testing for individuals who have symptoms of COVID-19. Patients will need to register and check in from their car upon arrival at Convenient Care.
“Due to our limited testing supplies and the increase in turnaround time for results, up to four days at times, we are unable to accommodate testing for travel or repeat testing to return to school or work,” said Barnes. “Our resources are focused on patients who have symptoms of COVID-19 and need to be tested.”
Dr. Barnes added that those looking for COVID tests should not visit FirstHealth emergency rooms.
The Moore County Health Department will offer COVID-19 testing five days a week beginning Monday, Jan. 24. Testing will be offered from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Fridays in the parking lot at the Moore County Health Department.
To find additional testing sites in the area, visit the NC Department of Health and Human Services website.
Free COVID-19 at-home test kits are also available through a new federal government website, and the kits will be mailed to your home. Orders can be placed by visiting COVIDtests.gov.
FirstHealth Convenient Care
FirstHealth’s Convenient Care clinics provide treatment for all urgent but non-life-threatening illnesses and family medical care needs.
FirstHealth Convenient Care fills the void between a true emergency (ER) and preventative care from a primary doctor. Patients are provided with a one-stop option for unscheduled care by a medical team led by a board certified physician specializing in emergency medicine.
Clinics are open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Pinehurst location open 8 a.m. to midnight).
Courtesy photo/Contributed.
