Ambulance Service To Offer At-Home COVID Tests On North Shore
GLOUCESTER (CBS) - A Gloucester ambulance company is looking to save people the trip to a long line at a coronavirus testing center. Beauport Ambulance Service announced it will begin offering at-home testing for residents of eight communities starting Monday, December 7.
President John Morris says it's an opportunity to help people who don't have the time to wait for a test, or for those who don't want to risk exposure to the virus. "You can stay in the comfort of your own home, you don't have to worry about putting yourself at risk around other sick people," said Morris. "We come to you, it's discreet, it's private."
Morris says he thought of the idea after his own experiences with his family getting tested. "I was out in urgent care to get tested to be able to travel outside of the country, and I had to wait about an hour," Morris says, "with three kids, we were like, there's got to be an easier way."
The service will be available to residents in Gloucester, Rockport, Ipswich, Manchester, Essex, Rowley, Hamilton and Wenham. While it may save people time, the service will cost $175 and it is not covered by insurance. The testing process takes about 10 minutes, and Morris says results can be expected within 2-3 days.
Morris says the concierge service is for people who are looking for peace of mind, or who may need to negative test in order to travel, or return to work. "This is just more of a community outreach to take the burden off the urgent cares, or the drive through," he said.
By early Wednesday afternoon, Morris says there were more than 80 appointments scheduled for the coming weeks.
Appointments can be made by calling 978-281-6955 or at beauportambulanceservice.com.
