community corner
Coronavirus Stratford: 2 Testing Sites Open In Town
Lines are forming at a makeshift testing drive-thru in Stratford as the new coronavirus spreads rapidly across Connecticut.
By Anna Bybee-Schier, Patch Staff
STRATFORD, CT — When Murphy Medical Associates opened a site in Stratford to test patients for the new coronavirus, the location initially drew less than 10 people per day. Now lines are forming at the makeshift drive-thru as the virus spreads rapidly across Connecticut, according to the town health director.
As the number of potential coronavirus patients grows, Director of Health Andrea Boissevain reminded Stratford residents that before they seek a test, they must do something else: Call their doctor.
Patients can only receive a test at the Murphy Medical site if they have a physician's order, she said. The testing location was originally outside the medical group's office in the 2900 block of Main Street, but after a disagreement with other building occupants, the site was moved to a group of tents at 1000 Main St. near DeLuca Field, according to Boissevain.
"The logistics of it weren't going to work," Boissevain said of the initial testing setup.
With the new location established, Murphy Medical is conducting drive-thru tests 10 a.m. to noon Monday to Thursday.
To sign up for Stratford breaking news alerts and more, click here.
As of Tuesday, more than 5,300 tests for the new coronavirus, also called COVID-19, had been reported to the state from across Connecticut. The state listed 618 total confirmed cases Tuesday, with 384 in Fairfield County. In Stratford, seven patients had tested positive for the virus as of Tuesday, according to the town.
Murphy Medical's COVID-19 tests were originally being sent to California or Washington for processing, but Boissevain said Monday she expected that to change soon as more labs became available to process the tests. She said the virus is undergoing an "acceleration phase" in Connecticut.
"People are feeling sick," she said.
In addition to Murphy Medical, the DOCS Urgent Care facility at 200 E. Main St. is also testing for the new coronavirus, according to Boissevain, who said that although the testing site is inside a walk-in clinic, anyone who thinks they have COVID-19 should call ahead. Bridgeport Hospital is offering testing as well. The Stratford Health Department is not a test site.
Patients who don't have a primary care doctor but think they might have COVID-19 can call Optimus Health Care at 203-696-3260, Southwest Community Health Center at 203-330-6000, Yale New Haven Health at 833-275-9644 or Hartford HealthCare at 833-621-0600. They can also visit coronatestct.com.
