Geisinger issues reminder that emergency rooms are not appropriate location for COVID-19 testing

DANVILLE, Pa. - With COVID-19 cases continuing to rise in our communities, Geisinger is reminding everyone of the appropriate locations to go for COVID-19 testing. A hospital emergency room is not an appropriate location, but Geisinger offers several locations for more efficient and timely COVID-19 testing.

In the past two weeks, September 8 to 22, Geisinger administered 32,101 COVID-19 tests, with 3,620 of those, or 12 percent, being positive. For the same time frame in September 2020, Geisinger administered 14,284 COVID-19 tests, with 574, or 4 percent, being positive. The current positivity rate, three times higher than last year, is comparable to early November 2020, just before the winter surge.

With the rise of COVID-19 in our communities, it's putting a demand on COVID-19 testing in our communities. Geisinger's emergency rooms are busy, and staff there are needed to treat patients with serious illnesses and injuries. COVID-19 testing in the emergency room takes staff away from these patients and increases wait times. Hospital emergency rooms are for emergencies, such as life-threatening injuries and illness, including symptoms of strokes, heart attacks and broken bones. Our emergency room teams are always willing and available to assist patients and families if they believe they need emergency evaluation for a health condition.

With the increased demand, it's important to understand where to go for a COVID-19 test. If you're experiencing COVID-19 symptoms such as a fever, cough or difficulty breathing, or you've been around someone who's tested positive for COVID-19, a COVID-19 test is appropriate in the correct location, including:

• Geisinger ConvenientCare locations
• Primary care doctor's offices
• Pediatrician's offices
• Dedicated Geisinger COVID-19 testing locations in Avis, Danville, Moosic, Orwigsburg and Philipsburg
• The Pennsylvania Department of Health also provides a list of COVID-19 testing locations.

Geisinger COVID-19 testing appointments can be made at through MyGeisinger or by calling 570-284-3657.

COVID-19 test results from Geisinger are easily accessible through MyGeisinger. For more information about COVID-19 testing, visit geisinger.org/coronavirus.

About Geisinger
Geisinger is committed to making better health easier for the more than 1 million people it serves. Founded more than 100 years ago by Abigail Geisinger, the system now includes nine hospital campuses, a health plan with more than half a million members, two research centers and the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. With nearly 24,000 employees and more than 1,600 employed physicians, Geisinger boosts its hometown economies in Pennsylvania by billions of dollars annually. Learn more at www.geisinger.org, or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.