New Provider Referral Center is part of a rapidly evolving strategy to enable people who have symptoms consistent with coronavirus COVID-19 to get access to testing

(Wilmington, Del. – March 18, 2020)

As demand for coronavirus COVID-19 testing continues to increase throughout Delaware, ChristianaCare is working round the clock to meet the need, in collaboration with the Division of Public Health and the state’s hospitals and provider community.

ChristianaCare opened a Provider Referral Center in New Castle County to provide coronavirus COVID-19 testing for individuals who are symptomatic and have received a prescription for testing from their doctor.

It is not a walk-in facility. Only patients who have been referred by their doctor, made an appointment and are in possession of a testing order will be tested.

ChristianaCare is asking for the media’s help by not disseminating the location of non-walk-in testing sites, so that we can ensure the safety of patients, caregivers and the public. The location of the testing site is being provided to patients who receive a prescription for a test and have an appointment.

“The safety of our community and our caregivers is our top priority,” said Chief Operating Officer Sharon Kurfuerst, Ed.D., OTR/L, FACHE, FAOTA, FABC. “Based on the availability of supplies, we are working to meet the needs of our community in the safest way possible, in close collaboration with the state of Delaware and our regional health care partners.”

The testing is being done at commercial labs outside the state of Delaware. Turnaround time is two to five days, and ChristianaCare communicates the results to the patient’s referring physician. The laboratory conducting the tests will notify the Delaware Division of Public Health of any positive test results. ChristianaCare will not report positive cases publicly; that information will continue to be disseminated by the Delaware Division of Public Health.

At this time, ChristianaCare does not have plans for a future public drive-through testing event. All positive test results from the drive-through event on March 13 are being reported to the Division of Public Health.

What to do if you are concerned you may have coronavirus

ChristianaCare would like to remind the public that most people who are experiencing coronavirus symptoms do not need to go to the emergency department.

Please do not go to the emergency department unless you are experiencing symptoms that are severe or life-threatening. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911.

If you are concerned you have coronavirus, please do NOT show up at your doctor’s office. You should contact your primary care provider to discuss your symptoms and ask to be evaluated for care and testing, if your doctor deems that necessary. If you don’t have a Primary Care Provider and would like one, please call ChristianaCare at 302-777-0643.

Individuals who do not have a primary care provider should call the Delaware Division of Public Health Call Center at 866-408-1899 for guidance.

These steps help us to protect your safety and the safety of others.

Please check here for more information about coronavirus.

A message to our partners in the news media

The coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic is a rapidly evolving situation. ChristianaCare is working with public health partners at all levels and will continue to provide updated information as it becomes available. During this time, media availability for ChristianaCare clinical and operations leaders is limited, but our Media Relations team is working to address the high volume of requests as best as possible in a timely manner. Thank you for your understanding, and we sincerely appreciate your partnership in helping to inform the public during this national emergency with accurate, timely information.

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About ChristianaCare

Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, ChristianaCare is one of the country’s most dynamic health care organizations, centered on improving health outcomes, making high-quality care more accessible and lowering health care costs. ChristianaCare includes an extensive network of primary care and outpatient services, home health care, urgent care centers, three hospitals (1,430 beds), a freestanding emergency department, a Level I trauma center and a Level III neonatal intensive care unit, a comprehensive stroke center and regional centers of excellence in heart and vascular care, cancer care and women’s health. It also includes the pioneering Gene Editing Institute.

ChristianaCare is nationally recognized as a great place to work, rated by Forbes as the 2nd best health system for diversity and inclusion, and the 29th best health system to work for in the United States, and by IDG Computerworld as one of the nation’s Best Places to Work in IT. ChristianaCare is rated by Healthgrades as one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals and continually ranked among the nation’s best by U.S. News & World Report, Newsweek and other national quality ratings. ChristianaCare is a nonprofit teaching health system with more than 260 residents and fellows. With its groundbreaking Center for Virtual Health and a focus on population health and value-based care, ChristianaCare is shaping the future of health care.

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