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LOCATION AND STAY IN YOUR CAR AS SOMEONE COMES OUT TO PERFORM THE EXAM. FOR UP, PARK AND GET TESTED. A DRIVE-THROUGH SYSTEM THE CROSSROADS URGENT CARE SAYS IS CONVENIENT AND SAFER. >> FOR EVERYBODY’S SAFETY, PATIENT SAFETY AS WELL AS OURS, IT’S GOING TO BE AT THE CAR SITE. EMILY: JESSE GABRIEL, A NURSE PRACTIONER WITH THE CLINIC, SAYS STAFF IS FOLLOWING CDC GUIDELINES TO DECIDE WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR TESTING. THEY’VE PEFORMED THREE CORONAVIRUS TESTS SINCE THE DRIVE-THROUGH STARTED TUESDAY NEAR 72ND AND DODGE. THERE ARE ALSO TEST KITS AVAILABLE FOR FLU AND STREP. BUT SAY THEY ARE LIMITED WITH COVID KITS. >> WE NEED TO USE THOSE RESOURCES WISELY. WE DON’T NEED TO BE A DRIVE-THROUGH CLINIC WHERE WE JUST TEST EVERYBODY. THAT’S NOT REALISTIC. EMILY: THEY WILL SHIP THE KITS TO A PRIVATE LAB IN ALABAMA, WHICH MEANS YOU MAY HAVE TO WAIT THREE TO FOUR DAYS FOR RESULTS. PATIENTS ARE NO LONGER ALLOWED INSIDE THE URGENT CARE. >> WE NEED TO KEEP OUR STAFF SAFE, SO WE CAN STILL BE THAT RESOURCE FOR THE COMMUNITY. IF WE HAVE A CLINIC THAT GETS EXPOSED, OUR SMALL BUSINESS IS CLOSED. AS WELL AS RISKING OUR STAFF AND THEIR FAMILIES. EMILY: DRIVE-THROUGH TESTING STARTS TOMORROW AT THE BELLEVUE URGENT CARE ON HARLAN DRIVE. AND AGAIN, TESTING IS APPOINTMENT ONLY. YOU CANNOT DRIVE UP AND EXPECT TO BE TESTED. YOU HAVE TO CALL THE BELLEVUE OR CROSSROADS URGENT CARE DIRECTLY TO SCHEDULE A

Advertisement Appointment only, drive-up testing for COVID-19 available at Omaha clinic Permits approved for tents to help protect staff and patients from weather, officals say Share Shares Copy Link Copy

An appointment only, drive-up testing site for COVID-19 is available in Omaha, according to a news release.Patients needing evaluation for respiratory symptoms including cough, congestion, shortness of breath and fever will be seen at Crossroads Urgent Care clinic, located near 72nd and Dodge streets.Permits were approved to provide tests to protect patients and staff from the weather elements. Jesse Gabriel, a nurse practitioner with Omaha Urgent Care, said the clinic has performed three coronavirus tests since the drive-up launched Tuesday."All patients with respiratory symptoms will be seen from the comfort of their car. Our staff will come out to perform the examination, greatly diminishing the risk of spreading disease. These outdoor visits are by appointment only and can be set up by calling the Crossroads Urgent Care clinic directly at (402) 715-5272," the release states.Staff is also testing for flu and strep. The amount of COVID-19 tests are limited, and clinic representatives said they would be following all CDC guidelines in determining which patients are eligible to be tested."We need to use those resources wisely. We don't need to be a drive-thru clinic where we just test everybody with COVID. That's not realistic," Gabriel said.He said the clinic will ship kits to a private lab in Alabama, which means it could take three to four days for results.Patients are no longer allowed inside the urgent care to protect other patients and staff."We need to keep our staff safe so we can still be that resource for the community," Gabriel said. "If we have a clinic that gets exposed, our small business is closed, as well as risking our staff and their families. That's something we have to deal with every day, but we have to take care of everybody we can."The Rockbrook Urgent Care is open and available for anyone in need of care that is not respiratory related. Drive-thru testing launches Thursday at the Bellevue Urgent Care on Harlan Drive.Patient needs to call the care clinics to schedule an appointment for testing.