A health care worker with the UNLV School of Medicine tests a patient for the coronavirus at a drive-thru testing site Thursday, March 26, 2020.
Published Monday, May 4, 2020 | 11:17 a.m.
Updated Monday, May 4, 2020 | 12:32 p.m.
Drive-thru coronavirus testing will be available at the Orleans on Tuesday and Wednesday in an effort to expand testing capacity in the Las Vegas Valley.
The site will have a capacity of 300 tests a day, with more days expected to be added.
The program is a joint effort between Clark County and University Medical Center.
Tests will be conducted by appointment only from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the first floor of the Orleans parking garage off Cameron Street, on the west side of the property.
Appointments can be made at www.umcsn.com.
“As we begin to reopen businesses and facilities in phases, it is important for us to know how widespread the virus is in our community,” Clark County Commission Chairwoman Marilyn Kirkpatrick said.
“With more testing, we expect to see the number of coronavirus cases increase,” she said. “The data, combined with everyone continuing to practice good hygiene, social distancing and other measures, will help guide our decisions and keep the community safe as we move forward.”
More than 46,000 people have been tested statewide, with 5,491 confirmed cases and 262 virus-related deaths.
The Nevada National Guard said it would set up the site and provide medical personnel and traffic control to support it.
“The Guard is playing a big role in this as we look to ramp up testing in the state," said Lt. Col. Charles Dickinson, executive officer of the 17th Sustainment Brigade and task force commander for the mission.
When patients arrive, they will be checked in and directed to the drive-up testing station. Medical professionals will conduct the tests while patients stay in their cars.
Results will be available within 24 to 48 hours and will be reported to the Southern Nevada Health District.
For those without insurance, the cost will be covered by a federal coronavirus relief act.
Patients with insurance will be asked to provide it for billing purposes. Any co-pay depends on each person’s insurance provider.
Last week, Gov. Steve Sisolak, who ordered all nonessential businesses closed in mid-March, announced plans to slowly reopen Nevada and emphasized the importance of expanded testing.
County Commissioner Michael Naft, whose district includes the Orleans, said the goal is to “offer more locations in the near future where the public can be tested, including Laughlin.”
Officials said they also plan to offer antibody testing at the end of May that can show whether someone has previously been infected.
The Southern Nevada Health District is also working with local jurisdictions to conduct testing at assisted living facilities and senior residential complexes.
