Hyannis COVID-19 drive through testing site relocated

Heather McCarron, Cape Cod Times
·3 min read

HYANNIS − A COVID-19 drive-through testing site that was operating at Cape Cod Hospital has moved to a new location in the village.

The new site, as of Nov. 20, is at 25 Communication Way. Operated by Cape Cod Healthcare, the drive-through location needed to be moved to make way for construction associated with the planned four-story tower for cancer and cardiology services in the southwest corner of Cape Cod Hospital's Park Street campus, the administration said. The $137 million project, which includes parking, landscaping and stormwater management features, got the nod this summer.

Cape Cod Healthcare employee, David Kasheta, RN, works at the new drive-through COVID-19 site in Hyannis on Wednesday. The site was moved from the campus of Cape Cod Hospital to Communication Way.
Cape Cod Healthcare employee, David Kasheta, RN, works at the new drive-through COVID-19 site in Hyannis on Wednesday. The site was moved from the campus of Cape Cod Hospital to Communication Way.

Drive-through testing can be obtained by appointment and is available to everyone, whether or not they have symptoms. Hours when appointments are available will be Sunday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to noon. Drive-through testing can also be obtained at the Falmouth Hospital campus, 100 Ter Heun Drive, with appointments available Sunday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m.

Cape Cod Healthcare Chief Operating Officer Lori Jewett said health care workers are seeing between 100 and 125 people between the two sites daily. The hospital is also still testing all pre-procedure/pre-surgical patients, as well as anyone from the community who needs a test, though "our overall volume from the community is decreasing," she said.

With the season underway for flu and cold infections that have some similar symptoms as COVID, though, that could change.

"We have not yet seen an increase, but currently we are still low for flu in the county," Jewett said. "We anticipate this and our volumes will increase in the near future and are ready to support any volume needs."

Because of high vaccination rates, a major surge in COVID infections is not presently predicted, as was the case during the last two fall-winter seasons; however, variants could result in some increases in cases in the next few months, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. About 80 percent of residents in Barnstable County are fully vaccinated, reflecting the state's rate of vaccination at about 81 percent.

Previously in The Cape Cod Times:Hospital's new four-story tower approved by Cape Cod Commission, traffic still a concern

Real-time PCR tests, considered the method for detecting COVID infections, are offered at Cape Cod Healthcare's drive-through sites, with results currently available within 24 to 48 hours. Those who need testing ahead of travel, or to monitor their health, are advised of a $125 out-of-pocket cost. Testing for those who have had direct exposure to COVID-19 or have symptoms will be billed to insurance, and testing is free for those without insurance. A sliding scale accommodation is available to assist with the out-of-pocket cost.

A COVID-19 drive-through testing site that was operating at Cape Cod Hospital has moved to Communication Way.
A COVID-19 drive-through testing site that was operating at Cape Cod Hospital has moved to Communication Way.

Drive-through appointments can be scheduled through the MyChart patient portal, or by calling 508-534-7013. Walk-in services for people with COVID symptoms who want to see a doctor are also available at Cape Cod Healthcare Urgent Care centers around the Cape, which also offer rapid testing.

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Hyannis COVID-19 drive through testing site relocated