Drive through coronavirus testing available all three Friendship Clinics

Northeast MS -The three Friendship Medical Clinics in Lee, Pontotoc and Union counties are offering coronavirus testing on a “drive-through” basis. The persons getting the tests do not leave their automobiles.

The lab personnel doing the testing remain outside the clinic buildings, operating from tents, and do not pass back-and -forth, in-and-out, of the buildings, thus avoiding the danger of cross-contamination.

Lab personnel outside communicate with clinic personnel inside the building by telephone and hand-held radios. Clients with coronavirus symptoms, requiring further treatment, will be treated outside.

A staff member at the Friendship Clinic in New Albany said Tuesday, April 1, that that location had performed about 30 tests since testing started there on Thursday, March 26. So far, no tests performed at the New Albany location had come back positive for COVID-19.

Friendship Clinic, Ecru
5482 Highway 15 North

The New Albany staff member said the Friendship Clinic at Ecru in Pontotoc County had performed more tests as that location, and is the primary health care provider in northern Pontotoc County. The staffer said there had been one positive result from the testing done in Ecru.

Patients are required to have symptoms before getting tested for the Covid-19 coronavirus. This includes a fever of 100.4 or more and severe coughing or chest pain. Persons wanting a test should contact the appropriate Friendship Clinic at the telephone numbers provided below before showing up for a test. Those desiring testing will be screened on the telephone to assure they are eligible for the testing under this special program, made available by action of the U.S. government and President Trump.

Persons with private health insurance and Medicare will not have to furnish a co-pay. Those without insurance coverage will have no cash cost for the coronavirus test. This applies to coronavirus testing only. Normal payment practices will be required from those requesting testing for other diseases, such as influenza, strep, etc.

Friendship Medical Clinics and others participating in the program receive no payment for making the coronavirus testing available on this basis.

Friendship Clinic, Tupelo
4127 Main Street

Businessman Ken Nowlin, whose family owns and operates the Friendship Clinics, said, “President Trump cut through the red tape to make this special no-cash-cost testing possible. Friendship Clinics are happy to cooperate with this not-for-profit testing for the benefit of everyone in Northeast Mississippi.”

The Friendship Clinics in New Albany and Ecru are open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday – Friday; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. The Tupelo clinic is open the same weekday hours, but is not open weekends.

Friendship Medical Clinic in New Albany is located at 509 Highway 15, across from the Pilot Truck Stop. The phone number in New Albany is 662-534-4330.

The Ecru Friendship Clinic is at 5482 Highway 15 North, across from Ashley. Phone number in Ecru is 662-488-8789.

The Tupelo Friendship Clinic is at 4127 Main Street, next to Steele’s Dive Restaurant. Phone number is 662-269-3191.