FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 22, 2020

Northeast Pennsylvania COVID-19 Testing Site Completes More than 2,000 Tests, State Directs Resources to Higher Need Areas

Harrisburg, PA - The Wolf Administration today announced it will close the COVID-19 public testing site at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, on Friday, May 29. Since the site opened on April 20, 2020, 2,048 residents have been tested for COVID-19. Thirty-one symptomatic residents were tested at the site on Thursday.

“We are very pleased with the success of the site and that we were able to provide necessary testing to citizens of Northeast Pennsylvania,” Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said. “However, it is time we redirect these resources to other areas of our state that are in need of assistance in this pandemic. The department will continue to work with other testing sites located across the commonwealth with the goal of making testing accessible to any symptomatic resident in Pennsylvania.” 

Out of the 2,048 symptomatic residents who were tested at the site so far, more than 7 percent were positive with COVID-19. The testing site will continue to test any symptomatic Pennsylvania resident through 4 p.m. on May 29. If individuals want to be tested after May 29, there are other testing sites located in northeast Pennsylvania. A map of these sites and information is available here.

The drive-thru testing site is being held in the parking lot of the Mohegan Sun Pocono Arena and pre-registration is required. The site is open daily from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM daily to test symptomatic Northeast Pennsylvanian residents.

Registration is required one day in advance and can be found on the Department of Health’s website, health.pa.gov. Registration by phone is also available by calling 1-877-PA-HEALTH. Appointments are capped at 200 per day. No onsite registration is available.

As of 12:00 a.m., May 21, there were 65,392 positive cases of COVID-19 statewide in 67 counties and 4,869 confirmed deaths. Most of the patients hospitalized are 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 and older. More data is available here.

The Wolf Administration stresses the role Pennsylvanians play in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19:

• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
• Clean surfaces frequently.
• Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.
• If you must go out for a life-sustaining reason, please wear a mask.

Updated Coronavirus Links: Press Releases, State Lab Photos, Graphics

• Daily COVID-19 Report
• Press releases regarding coronavirus
• Latest information on the coronavirus
• Photos of the state’s lab in Exton (for download and use)
• Coronavirus and preparedness graphics (located at the bottom of the page)
• Community preparedness and procedures materials
• Map with the number of COVID-19 cases

All Pennsylvania residents are encouraged to sign up for AlertPA, a text notification system for health, weather, and other important alerts like COVID-19 updates from commonwealth agencies. Residents can sign up online at www.ready.pa.gov/BeInformed/Signup-For-Alerts.

MEDIA CONTACT:  Nate Wardle, Health, 717-787-1783 or ra-dhpressoffice@pa.gov

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