Exer Urgent Care bolstering COVID-19 defense, offering coronavirus testing
Exer Urgent Care, which operates a clinic in La Cañada Flintridge, is now offering swab testing for the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 in patients with prescriptions who meet CDC guidelines, after officials announced Thursday they’d secured a “substantial” number of testing kits.
In addition to on-site tests, Exer will provide drive-up testing at seven of its clinics, including its facility in Pasadena, located at 3160 Del Mar Blvd.
To receive a test, patients must have a recommendation from an Exer Urgent Care facility or have received a telemedicine referral through the company’s new VirtualCare online platform.
VirtualCare lets people remotely log in and connect with a medical provider through video chat without having to make an appointment.
In a virtual exam, patients will discuss their symptoms and medical history to help the healthcare provider determine whether a test for the coronavirus should be recommended. Once a prescription is issued, the client can report for testing at the nearest Exer Urgent Care that’s hosting the drive-up operation.
Chief Medical Officer Brian Wilbur said the El Segundo-based company is closely monitoring information from the CDC to adjust its protocols and practices and better serve people sheltering in place.
“With more testing options available, coupled with our VirtualCare platform, we are committed to providing accessible healthcare options for our communities,” Wilbur said in Thursday’s release.
Test results will be processed within 24 to 48 hours. Testing will be offered while supplies last.
Exer is employing a rigorous decontamination protocol at its 16 Southern California facilities, including the La Cañada clinic in the Trader Joe’s shopping center, tripling its disinfectant cleaning procedures, performing temperature tests for visitors and providing masks to patients, the company reported.
