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Drive-thru COVID-19 Screening Site
at Blue Ridge Community College
FAQs for Pardee Team Members
Beginning Sunday, March 15, Pardee UNC Health and the Henderson County Department of Public Health is conducting a drive-through COVID-19 screening site on the main campus of Blue Ridge Community College. This vitally important option is for community members that are exhibiting symptoms of cough, fever greater than 100 degrees and shortness of breath. An offsite, mobile screening site like this one is an extremely important step in reducing community spread and keeping people with respiratory illness out of the hospital.
We are grateful to our partners Blue Ridge Community College, Henderson County Emergency Management Services, the Henderson County Department of Public Health, and Mountain Area Healthcare Coalition in helping our community in this effort.
1. How will this process work?
Patients are directed to call the Pardee COVID-19 Help Line at 828-694-8048 (open 8 am – 8 pm) to be pre-screened. If the patient meets the pre-screening criteria, they will be asked to drive to Blue Ridge Community College, located at 180 West Campus Drive, and follow the signs for the drive-thru screening.
At the first of three screening stations in the drive-thru, patients will be asked additional screening questions (beyond their initial phone call), and temperature taken.
If criteria is met, the patient will pull to the next screening station for a flu test. Patients will wait in the car for test results. If the flu test is positive, patients will be provided guidance and/or treatment for in-home care and asked to exit the drive-thru screening site.
If the flu test is negative, patients will be directed to the third and final screening station for a COVID-19 specimen collection. Staff, using appropriate precautions, will collect specimens on-site.
2. What are the hours for the screening site?
The screening site will be open daily from 9 am – 7 pm.
3. Is there a charge for the service/testing?
There is no charge for the drive-through service.
4. Will visitors get out of their cars?
The drive-thru screening process takes place entirely in the patient’s vehicle; patients will not get out of their cars, nor will they go into any facilities on our campus.
5. Why was Blue Ridge chosen as a location?
As many of you are aware, the campus census is decreasing rapidly moving from in-class instruction to online instruction. Additionally, they have an ideal layout and space to accommodate this request and as mentioned before, and were generous in helping during the COVID-19 pandemic.
6. How long will this screening site remain at Blue Ridge?
As with anything associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, conditions and our understanding change rapidly. We do not have a timeline for this, but will assist for as long as is needed.
7. How will traffic be managed?
Blue Ridge Community College campus police force is collaborating with Pardee UNC Health’s security team, and the Henderson County Sheriff’s Department to manage traffic flow and ensure safety for all who are on campus. Plans are in place to accommodate for any increases to traffic on the campus.
Helpful Information for You to Have
If you have a patient with COVID-19 symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness of breath, you should first:
● Have the patient contact the Pardee COVID-19 Screening Help Line at 828-694-8048 for pre-screening between the hours of 8 am – 8 pm.
And as a reminder, please continue to follow the precautions offered by the CDC to protect yourselves and others from the spread of all respiratory illness, including flu and COVID-19.
● Stay home when sick.
● Avoid contact with persons that are sick.
● Practice frequent handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
● Use hand sanitizer that is at least 70% alcohol if there is no access to soap and water.
● Practice safe coughing and sneezing etiquette - utilize a tissue that is immediately thrown away or cough/sneeze into your elbow.
● Routinely clean frequently touched surfaces with household cleaners.
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