Cape Cod Hospitals Expands Drive-Thru Coronavirus Testing

HYANNIS, MA — Cape Cod Healthcare will expand access to COVID-19 testing at its two drive-thru testing sites, hospital officials said Tuesday.

Hospital officials said testing expansion at Cape Cod and Falmouth hospitals is a response to the recent surge in positive cases in Barnstable County. As of last Wednesday, there had been 418 new cases on Cape Cod in the last two weeks, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Beginning Wednesday, drive-thru testing will be available by appointment to everyone, whether they are symptomatic or asymptomatic, during the following expanded hours:

• Cape Cod Hospital - 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., and 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., daily.
• Falmouth Hospital - 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., Sunday-Thursday

A doctor’s order will no longer be needed, however an appointment is required. People seeking testing should call the Cape Cod Healthcare Community Testing Line at 508-534-7013 to schedule an appointment.

The testing method used is the RT-PCR test, considered the gold standard for accurately detecting active COVID-19 virus in a collected specimen, health officials said. Test results are available within 24 hours.

"Due to the recent surge of COVID-19 cases in Barnstable County, our drive-through testing sites offer a safe and efficient option for anyone in our community seeking testing," said Cape Cod Healthcare CEO Mike Lauf.

Additionally, those who wish to be seen by a doctor for COVID-19 symptoms can seek walk-in care and testing at all five Cape Cod Healthcare Urgent Care centers across Cape Cod. Rapid testing is also available at urgent care for people without symptoms seeking rapid testing for travel or health monitoring.