Dayton Children’s opens drive-thru COVID-19 testing for kids

**Due to the evolving nature of the response to COVID-19, information contained in this post may no longer be accurate. Please click here for the most up-to-date information on testing.**

Dayton Children’s opened three drive-thru COVID-19 testing options for children.

• 884 Valley Street, Dayton – down the street from the main hospital
• 3300 West Tech Road, Springboro — directly across the street from the Dayton Children’s south campus

• 865 West Market Street, Troy – behind the Troy outpatient care center

Parents of any child (age 0 to 21 years) with a physician’s order for a COVID-19 test can come to the drive-thru. “This option is quicker and easier for families,” says Ben Goodstein, vice president of ambulatory services. “It has the added benefit of reducing exposure – both to the child who is sick and others in the hospital.”

“Since May, we have offered a drive-up option for children who had to be tested before surgery and it was extremely well-received,” says Melanie Wilson, senior director of medical imaging and laboratory services. “Now that we have expanded our testing capacity, we are able to offer this convenient service to all families.”

“It was so quick and easy,” says Elizabeth Schenking, a mom who brought her son to get a pre-procedure test during the first phase of drive-up testing. “While Ethan was nervous when we initially got there, afterward, he just laughed and said it wasn’t so bad.”  In fact, Ethan said it just felt like his “brain had been tickled!”

What to know before you go:

• Must have a physician’s order – this can be sent electronically or a paper copy presented at time of test
• Bring insurance information
• Wear a mask
• Check testing hours at childrensdayton.org