DANVILLE, Ky. (LEX 18) — There are 35 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Kentucky, according to state data.
Integrity Extended Healthcare in Danville, Ky. is offering drive-thru COVID-19 testing.
"Patients are in their car and they're already in a semi-isolated environment, so why get that patient out of their car to promote the spread of that illness?" said Dr. Pallaki Ravi.
Anyone in Kentucky can get the testing done, however they must meet testing criteria set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Therefore, Dr. Ravi's office is asking people to call them for a pre-screening before walking through their doors.
"We just don't have the resources at this point in time to screen everybody with simple symptoms," he said.
Once a doctor determines a patient meets the CDC criteria, they'll set an appointment to do the testing. Multiple tests at Integrity Extended Healthcare are being conducted in the same time slot to reduce the amount of times nurses have to get new masks and gowns.
"The supply chain is kind of drained of masks, gowns and gloves," explained Dr. Ravi.
A nurse conducts a nasal swab, which is sent to a third-party lab for testing. Five samples have been sent in for testing this week, which have all tested negative, according to Dr. Ravi. Integrity Extended Healthcare is asking people who may be showing symptoms of having a virus to call first and avoid entering the clinic. Dr. Ravi said he hopes people will take advantage of telehealth, which allows patients to replace a physical doctor's visit with a phone or video call.
"There are times where patients cannot communicate with us at all because they're very sick in the hospital and we're able to take care of these patients," said Dr. Ravi. "I think we could deliver the same quality of care via telehealth as we can in person in the clinics."
If you'd like to contact a doctor about potentially getting tested for COVID-19, you can reach Integrity Extended Healthcare at 606-303-4389.
