Testing for the coronavirus was under way in full force Monday at Premier Medical Associates, where more than 15 people were swabbed during the first day of the healthcare provider’s drive-up testing service.
Lina Cohen, vice president of patient care, labeled the testing in The Villages and Kissimmee as an “outburst.” She said those who are being tested must first have a tele-visit with one of the healthcare provider’s doctors, who will then make a decision about the need for a test based on symptoms. She added that doctors won’t be ordering tests for those who are showing no symptoms of the disease – something that was stressed by President Trump during a news conference on Monday.
“If your doctor doesn’t think you need the test, don’t get the test. Don’t get the test,” he said.
Trump said his own COVID-19 test came back negative. He was tested after he was photographed at Mar-A-Lago with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s communications chief, Fabio Wajngarten, who later tested positive for Coronavirus.
Here in The Villages, Cohen said residents who are showing symptoms and are concerned should call Premier Medical Associates at (352) 561-3182 to schedule a tele-visit. She said they should not just come to the medical office because they could infect other patients and much-needed healthcare workers there.
The results of the tests are expected to be available in two to five days. After being tested, patients are expected to self-quarantine themselves in their homes until they have the results.
“We are doing everything we can to take care of our patients,” Cohen said. “We are putting everything toward this and the sooner we test people, the better.”
Cohen said her agency, which has been a part of the community for 20 years, also will continue to seek more testing kits, which are desperately needed.
“I’ve spent the day fighting with labs and I’ll keep fighting,” she said. “We need more swabs.”
Cohen added that her agency also has psychiatric services available through tele-visits, as the fear of COVID-19 is taking a toll on the mental health of some Villagers and area residents.
“People have had panic attacks,” she said. “This is a crazy situation we’ve never seen before.”
Premier Medical Associates’ testing site is located in The Villages at 1580 Santa Barbara Blvd. near UF Health The Villages Hospital.
