WALDPORT — Samaritan Health Services on Wednesday opened a second drive-through coronavirus testing site at its clinic on Range Drive in Waldport as it ramps up the number of tests it is able to conduct.
Previously the only testing site in Lincoln County was at Samaritan’s clinic in Depoe Bay. While Samaritan is the only health provider in Lincoln County conducting tests for COVID-19, the testing has now expanded to anyone with a clinician’s order who has symptoms of the virus – such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, loss of smell or taste, sore throat, and muscle aches or pains.
Although high-risk groups were previously prioritized for tests, Samaritan has obtained enough supplies to expand COVID-19 testing for all patients with symptoms in Lincoln, Benton and Linn counties.
If a medical provider orders a test, Samaritan said it will contact the patient to schedule a date, time and location for testing. People who arrive at a testing site without a clinician’s order will be turned away and instructed to call their primary care provider.
Samaritan had conducted 510 COVID-19 tests as of Thursday, and in the past few days has apparently doubled the number of daily tests to about 20, according to Oregon Health Authority records. That is still one of the lowest testing rates – just over 1 percent — in the state. There have been just five Lincoln County residents who have tested positive for the virus, which is also one of the lowest in the state.