Coronavirus testing site to open in downtown Birmingham
An appointment-based community coronavirus testing site will open in downtown Birmingham on Monday, according to a news release today from UAB.
The Downtown COVID-19 Testing Site — located at the corner of University Boulevard and 22nd Street South — will begin seeing patients on March 23 at 9 a.m. by appointment only.
The site is sponsored by UAB Medicine and the Jefferson County Department of Health.
Beginning at noon Sunday, those who have symptoms of COVID-19 — cough, fever or shortness of breath — or believe they may have had contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 can call 205-975-1881 and be screened by a medical provider.
The provider will then schedule an appointment time for testing at the downtown site if the caller has a positive screen for COVID-19 symptoms.
Beginning Monday, those who believe they need a test can call 205-975-1881 between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m.
Appointments will be scheduled from 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. seven days a week.
The JCDH is identifying other locations in the county to add sampling sites with hospitals, laboratories and medical professionals in the coming days and, possibly, weeks.
“We are working hard as a community to bring more testing sites online as more laboratories, including UAB’s testing lab, are able to offer the COVID-19 test,” said Mark Wilson, CEO of the Jefferson County Health Department.