Officials with Tift Regional Medical Center (“TRMC”) announced late Monday evening that a third patient received a confirmed positive COVID-19 test result.

The patient is currently being isolated at home. As of March 23, this makes one inpatient and two outpatients with positive COVID-19 results.

As of their 12PM update, TRMC officials also announced that they have sent COVID-19 tests to labs for 94 patients at this point. Of the 33 test results received to date, 30 have been negative. The Georgia Department of Public Health has been notified of this additional positive case. TRMC officials are still waiting on test results for 61 patients.

In addition, Tift Regional Medical Center is shifting all clinic-based COVID-19 testing to an outdoor drive-thru clinic.  This drive-thru clinic, not to be confused with the Southwell Mobile Clinic unit that visits medical-underserved areas, is located in the TRMC parking garage on 20^th Street and will be open seven days a week from 8 am to 5 pm. Vehicles will be routed through the 20^th Street parking lot.

Before coming to the drive-thru clinic, the ER, or any Southwell clinic or facility, patients who suspect they have COVID-19 symptoms are being asked to call Southwell’s COVID-19 hotline at 877-719-5787. Health professionals will conduct a telephone triage and will instruct patients on whether or not they should go to the drive-thru clinic for testing.

“By keeping potential COVID-19 patients in their cars, it will increase our screening efficiency and reduce our use of personal protective equipment,” said Chris Dorman, Southwell President and CEO. “We are asking local residents to first call the hotline before arriving at the drive-thru testing center.”

While Southwell’s test kits are not at a critical level, they are limited. Due to this, testing will only be available in Tifton at this time.