Washington, D.C. (Tuesday, March24, 2020) – As the number of youth in the District testing positive from the coronavirus grows, there’s a new drive-thru pop-up shop taking hold to test youth and young adults for COVID-19.  It’s operated by Children’s National Hospital and is located on a parking lot of Trinity Washington University at 125 Michigan Avenue, NE, Washington, D.C.

For a child to be tested at this location, the parent or guardian must show a paper copy or electronic copy of the physician referral form completed by their primary care provider.

WHUR’s Digital Reporter Candice Adkins spoke with Dr. Joelle N. Simpson – Medical Director for Emergency Preparedness about the new effort.IMG_1003

The site location was donated by Trinity Washington University and can safely test children and young adults through age 22 who have been identified by their pediatrician or other primary care doctor with symptoms of COVID-19. The specimens are sent offsite to the program’s laboratory partner, Quest Diagnostics, for analysis. Community pediatricians are referring patients who are either at an increased risk for developing severe symptoms due to the child’s underlying medical condition or because the child has an immediate family member who is in a high-risk category.

Primary care doctors can refer children through young adults up to age 22 for COVID-19 specimen collection/testing.  This is the first such drive-up site to open in Washington, D.C.