Geisinger opens dedicated cold and flu walk-in care clinics
DANVILLE, Pa. – With respiratory virus season quickly approaching, Geisinger is making it easier for you to get care and treatment by opening Geisinger Convenient Care Cold & Flu Centers. These walk-in locations are the best place to go if you have cold and flu symptoms.
Existing Geisinger Convenient Care locations in Danville, Lewistown, Scranton and Wilkes-Barre are now Convenient Care Cold & Flu Centers. They offer dedicated care for cold, flu and respiratory virus symptoms, like a cough, fever, runny nose or sore throat, to anyone over age 1.
“This cold and flu season comes amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and the viruses have similar symptoms,” said Richard Martin, M.D., medical director of Geisinger Convenient Care. “By opening these dedicated cold and flu centers, we’re helping people get the care they need in the most efficient way.”
The centers are equipped with rapid respiratory panel testing capabilities. This includes testing for influenza strains A and B; respiratory syncytial virus (RSV); streptococcus (strep); and COVID-19. While testing for COVID-19 is part of the respiratory panel, these locations are not COVID-19 testing centers.
“Our cold and flu centers won’t turn away anyone with other illnesses and injuries, but it’s important for patients to know where to go for more efficient care,” Martin said. “Convenient Care is still here to treat your sprains, strains, cuts and other illnesses, but we’re making care easier by helping people get to the best location for treatment.”
While it’s important to know where to go or care, it’s even more important to get your flu shot this year, Martin said.
“While we’re adding these cold and flu centers as an additional level of care in our communities, it’s still crucial for you to get your annual flu shot,” Martin said. “Getting your flu shot this year is critical in helping to keep flu-related hospitalizations to a minimum so we don’t overwhelm the health care system with cases of the flu and COVID-19 viruses.”
To learn more about Geisinger Convenient Care Cold & Flu Centers, visit geisinger.org/coldandflu. To learn where to get a flu shot, visit geisinger.org/flunews.
Visit geisinger.org/urgent to hold your place in line and check wait times at any Convenient Care location. Online check-in allows physical distancing and minimizes time in the clinic’s reception area. To align with Geisinger’s COVID-19 policies, anyone entering the clinic should wear a mask, or ask for one upon arrival. If possible, patients should only have one person accompany them for care.
Geisinger has also opened cold and flu centers in Jersey Shore and Mount Pocono, but these locations are by-appointment only. To schedule an appointment at Jersey Shore call 800-230-4565 or to schedule an appointment at Mount Pocono call 570-839-3633. Same-day and next-day appointments are available.
If you think you have COVID-19 symptoms, have been exposed to someone who has recently tested positive for COVID-19, or need a COVID-19 test, call Geisinger’s coronavirus hotline at 570-284-3657 for testing.
About Geisinger
Geisinger is among the nation’s leading providers of value-based care, serving 1.2 million people in urban and rural communities across Pennsylvania. Founded in 1915 by philanthropist Abigail Geisinger, the non-profit system generates $10 billion in annual revenues across 134 care sites - including 10 hospital campuses, and Geisinger Health Plan, with 600,000 members in commercial and government plans. The Geisinger College of Health Sciences educates more than 5,000 medical professionals annually and conducts more than 1,400 clinical research studies. With 26,000 employees, including 1,600 employed physicians, Geisinger is among Pennsylvania’s largest employers with an estimated economic impact of $14 billion to the state’s economy. On March 31, 2024, Geisinger became the first member of Risant Health, a new nonprofit charitable organization created to expand and accelerate value-based care across the country. Learn more at geisinger.org or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.
