Coronavirus testing now available by Geisinger in Philipsburg
Philipsburg residents won’t have to travel quite so far anymore for COVID-19 testing, as Geisinger announced Thursday it has made nasal-swab testing available at its location on Medical Center Drive.
Testing is available by appointment only, and results from Geisinger’s lab typically take between three and 24 hours.
Those interested in getting tested should call Geisinger’s nurse triage line at 570-284-3657 or make an appointment through a primary care physician. According to the health system, Geisinger will test “anyone who meets screening criteria established by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.”
A spokesperson clarified that criteria entails:
- A fever of 100.4 or higher
- Respiratory symptoms like cough or shortness of breath
- Contact with anyone who has flu-like symptoms in the past 14 days
Those interested can also conduct an online “Self-Checker” on the CDC website to see if they should get tested.
According to the state Department of Health, less than 40 residents inside the 16866 ZIP code — which includes Philipsburg — have been tested so far. There have been between one and four confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 there, although a specific number is not known.
Overall in Centre County, there have been 76 confirmed positive cases as of noon Thursday with one related death.
“Whether you’re waiting to be tested for COVID-19, you’re waiting for your test results or you’ve tested positive, staying by yourself and away from others is the key to protecting everyone around you,” Geisinger said in a news release.
