Quest Diagnostics, in cooperation with WalMart's Walden Avenue location, will begin hosting drive-through testing for COVID-19 Thursday in the lot of the Cheektowaga store. Tests will be conducted by appointment only, and not until after the individual is deemed to qualify.
Quest has established a website (click on the link here) to prescreen candidates for the drive-through testing. Individuals will be asked to enter their contact information, after which they will be asked if they are a first responder, healthcare professional or neither. They will then be asked to provide insurance information, if the individual has a health care plan.
Further questions include whether the person is feeling any symptoms, when those symptoms were first felt, and whether the person may have been in a location in which direct, secondary or community exposure was possible. The website will also ask whether the individual is over the age of 60 and whether the person has any chronic or underlying health concerns.
A pop-up window will then reveal whether the applicant qualifies for an appointment. Those who do will be shown a button to click to continue arrangements.
The site's hours of operation will be 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Upon arriving at the site, volunteers from Quest and WalMart will verify the individual's information. Patients are not to leave their vehicles.
According to the Frequently Asked Questions information provided on Quest's website, "The test is conducted by inserting a swab into your nose and into the back of your throat. You may also have the option of providing samples of your spit and phlegm from your cough."
New York State Police will be present Thursday to ensure smooth traffic flow. Walk-ups and motorists with no appointment will not be allowed to proceed.
The number provided by Quest for those seeking more information is 866-448-7719. This number is available weekdays from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
