(BLOOMINGTON) – Beginning today, Indiana University Health is
expanding testing for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, to any health care worker or first responder in Indiana who may have been exposed to the virus.
This includes health care workers serving at non-IU Health facilities.
“We are grateful for the compassionate care our team members have displayed during this crisis,” stated Brian Shockney, president of IU Health South Central Region. “They are our heroes and front-line defenders in this fight against COVID-19 and are, therefore, our first priority when it comes to our expanded testing.”
Many Indiana hospitals and health care facilities – particularly in rural areas of the state – have limited or no testing capabilities and are experiencing long turnaround times from national labs.
IU Health is working directly with Indiana hospitals to facilitate testing for health care workers and critically ill patients at non-IU Health facilities.
“Our mission calls us to improve the health of every Hoosier, not just those who come to an IU Health facility for care,” said Dennis Murphy, president, and chief executive officer. “We will get through this crisis by working together, and I’m proud of our laboratory teams who are making testing available for those who need it most.”
As of April 3, the IU Health Pathology Laboratory has conducted over 5,000 COVID-19 tests with the goal of increasing capacity each week.
