Drive-thru virus tests available at Vibhavadi Hospital

Vibhavadi Medical Centre has arranged for people to be tested without leaving their vehicles – a “safe distancing” approach already in use in several other countries.
“The Drive Thru Covid-19 Test is available at Building 4 of Vibhavadi Hospital, where customers can arrive in their personal vehicles and get tested through the windows,” the centre said in a statement.
“Staff will collect samples from the nasal cavity and throat, which will be sent to the lab immediately. We will notify the subject of the results via SMS within 24 hours so there’s no need to go back to the hospital again to find out.”
The test costs Bt6,500. The service is available daily from 8am to 6pm.
The hospital’s lab can handle 150-200 tests per day.
About 50 people have driven in for a test in the first 24 hours.
Additional parking space has opened at the Vi Plaza Building to compensate for the space devoted to the testing area.
The hospital has screening checkpoints at all entrances and an isolated clinic where Covid-19 tests are done using conventional procedures.
“Anyone testing positive at the clinic will immediately be sent to our facilities that are certified to treat Covid-19 patients,” the centre said.