A health care worker with the UNLV School of Medicine tests a patient for the coronavirus at a drive-thru testing site Thursday, March 26, 2020.
Wednesday, April 15, 2020 | 11:40 a.m.
UNLV Medicine says it is doubling its testing capacity to 300 tests a day.
Since launching curbside testing in Las Vegas last month, UNLV Medicine has tested more than 3,000 people. Now, it is setting up testing through appointments for those who meet federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for testing.
UNLV has mobilized students to help screen patients for symptoms through call centers to take some of the burden off emergency rooms and doctor’s offices. People who have virus symptoms or have been in direct contact with someone confirmed to have COVID-19 should call 702-583-4408 between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday to make a testing appointment.
Those who qualify will have nasal swab tests in the parking area outside UNLV Medicine at 1125 Shadow Lane in Las Vegas.
Patients will be directed to a drive-up testing station where a medical professional conducts the test while patients stay in their car.
Testing is free, and patients should get results in five to seven days. All results will be reported to the Southern Nevada Health District.
Officials say they plan to provide testing until May 1 or until test supplies are depleted.
Gov. Steve Sisolak said the Nevada State Public Health Lab is reporting that Nevada is above the national average in tests per 100,000 residents, at 725. The average is 596, he said.
More than 32,000 coronavirus tests have been performed statewide, Nevada Health Response reported on Tuesday. Of those tests, 3,088 came back positive and 25,573 came back negative.
