UPDATE APRIL 6: UNLV Medicine President Michael Gardner said their coronavirus testing site could be suspended if they don't get another batch of tests from their provider Clinical Pathology Laboratories by Tuesday evening.
After two weeks and 2,000 tests, Gardner decided to lower the amount of tests given per day from 240 to 150 to help supplies last longer.
He said there is a 50/50 chance of getting more tests in time, but even then it wouldn't be enough to run the curbside testing location at full capacity.
"This is a nationwide problem," Gardner said, "I'm sure there's 100 if not 1,000 reasons why that is a problem."
The doctor said roughly 10% of people who've been tested at the site along Shadow Lane have tested positive for the coronavirus underscoring the need for broader testing in Las Vegas.
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"I hope we're able to do, and when I say we I mean the healthcare industry at large, are able to do wide screenings so we know exactly how widespread this is," Gardner said, "it's probably more widespread than we know."
Gardner was confident the site would get a shipment in at the end of the week in preparation for next week.
He said they would like to continue operating through the end of April with health experts expecting the disease's spread to peak in mid-April.
He said they would continue to request test kits even if they close.
"If we do we're going to leave the tents up, we're going to leave everything ready," Gardner said, "and as soon as we get more samples we'll be back out here."
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UPDATE APRIL 6: UNLV Medicine says Tuesday may be the final day of curbside testing for COVID-19 if it does not receive a shipment of test kits soon. Since it began in March, the site has tested more than 2,000 people. It will be open today but you do have to make an appointment to get tested. Call (702) 583-4408 between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday – Friday.
13 Action News Reporter Sean DeLancey is gathering more information. Follow him on Twitter @SeanKTNV.
UPDATE APRIL 3: UNLV Medicine, the clinical arm of the UNLV School of Medicine, will continue COVID-19 curbside testing April 6-7, but representatives said they anticipate coming to the end of their supplies after April 7, unless additional shipments are received.
The school also said it is actively seeking more tests, and if a substantial number is received, it will continue the curbside testing operation.
UNLV School of Medicine said it has tested more than 2,000 Southern Nevadans since March 23.
ORIGINAL STORY
LAS VEGAS (KTNV) -- UNLV Medicine, the clinical arm of the UNLV School of Medicine, is conducting curbside COVID-19 testing beginning March 24, for members of the public who meet the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for testing.
Individuals who are exhibiting symptoms as defined by the CDC or who have been in direct contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 should call (702) 583-4408 between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday – Friday for an appointment to be tested. All callers will be asked a series of questions to determine if they meet the CDC criteria and will be screened again upon arrival.
Nasal swab tests will be administered in the parking area outside UNLV Medicine, located at 1125 Shadow Lane in Las Vegas. Patients should arrive on location at their appointment time, and they’ll be directed to a drive-up testing station where a medical professional conducts the test with the patient remaining in the vehicle.
There will be no out-of-pocket cost to the patient, who should expect to receive test results in 5-7 days. The results of all tests, both positive and negative, will be reported to the Southern Nevada Health District.
UNLV Medicine anticipates providing curbside COVID-19 testing Monday through Friday for the next two weeks or until its current supply of test kits is depleted.
Tests will only be conducted by appointment and strictly limited to individuals who meet CDC guidelines for COVID-19 testing. Please call (702) 583-4408 for an appointment and to find out if you qualify.
