GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — Patient First in Gloucester Township now offers testing for the coronavirus, the health system announced on Monday. It is the third Patient First facility in Camden County to offer coronavirus testing.
Virus testing is available only at designated Patient First testing centers and is by appointment only. Patient First in Gloucester Township is located at 606 Cross Keys Road in the Sicklerville section of the township.
The test that is offered is the RT-PCR (Reverse Transcriptase — Polymerase Chain Reaction) molecular diagnostic test. The test sample is collected at Patient First and is sent to a reference lab for testing.
Coronavirus testing is also available at the Patient First centers in Hamilton, Cherry Hill and Voorhees. Testing appointments can be made online at https://www.patientfirst.com/covid-19/covid-19-testing.
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As of Monday, there were 1,015 cases of the coronavirus in Gloucester Township with 59 confirmed deaths, according to Camden County officials. Fifteen of those cases were reported on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.
Camden County has 10,200 cases and 569 confirmed deaths, and is one of seven counties in which some key metrics in the coronavirus crisis have risen, according to a recent report. Read more here: 7 NJ Counties Backslide In Coronavirus Crisis: Here’s Where
The following information is available regarding the most recent cases of the coronavirus that were identified in Gloucester Township:
Coronavirus testing helps determine if a patient currently has the coronavirus. It is for patients who are at least 5 years old and experiencing symptoms of the coronavirus or meet any of the screening criteria, which is based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The screening criteria include meeting one or more of the followings conditions:
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You are a healthcare worker or first responder.
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You have had prolonged contact with (e.g. live with or work closely with) a COVID-19 positive person or a person waiting for COVID-19 test results.
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You reside in a nursing home or other congregate living facility.
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You are a cancer patient who requires COVID-19 testing before beginning or resuming treatment.
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You are required by your doctor, hospital, or outpatient surgical center to have COVID-19 testing prior to a planned surgery.
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You are required by your employer to have COVID-19 testing prior to beginning or returning to work.
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You are required by another entity to have COVID-19 testing, such as to attend school or camp, or due to travel/transportation requirements.
Results are typically available in less than three days. Patients will receive the test result via text message or through a phone call from a nurse. The option for how the patient would prefer to receive test results is determined during registration. The test result will also be available on the Patient First Portal.
For most insured patients, there is no out-of-pocket expense for coronavirus testing. The visit will be submitted to patients’ insurance. Patient First accepts all major insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid.
For most self-pay patients, there is no out-of-pocket cost for the exam. There may be a separate bill from the outside lab in some cases. The lab determines what, if anything, it bills the patient.
Coronavirus Antibody Testing is also available at all Patient First centers on a walk-in basis.
All Patient First Medical Centers remain open on a walk-in basis from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., every day, for patients who have an urgent need for medical or injury care.
Appointments are not needed for visits unrelated to coronavirus testing. All Patient First centers have taken steps to provide a safe environment for patients and staff, including requiring all patients and staff to wear masks while inside the center, thoroughly disinfecting surfaces throughout the center at regular intervals, requiring frequent hand washing, and limiting visitors to only essential family members.
Updates about coronavirus testing, instructions about how to make an appointment, and other information is available at www.patientfirst.com/coronavirus.
See related: NJ Coronavirus, Reopen Updates: Here’s What You Need To Know
This article originally appeared on the Gloucester Township Patch
