Some pediatric urgent care centers on Long Island will now test a child's family for the coronavirus as well.

When PM Pediatrics opened Long Island's first pediatric drive-thru COVID-19 testing sites in Manhasset and Selden last week, testing was given to children only.

But now, the New Hyde Park-based provider says it is extending testing family members living in the same household as the child being tested.

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"We started out by testing only children and then said to ourselves, gosh, it is a more appropriate service to families to see everybody and make sure that the testing can happen for families in household contact, if the need arises," says PM Pediatrics Senior Medical Adviser Dr. Christina Johns.

Johns says while early evidence points to children being less susceptible to severe COVID-19 illness, they can still transmit the virus if they test positive. Signs of the coronavirus include fever, dry cough, shortness of breath and difficulty drinking.

"What I would suggest to parents is not delay," says Johns. "If your child is having symptoms, and if your child seems unwell and of course having any difficulty breathing, it's important to get into the health care system right away."

Dr. Johns says screening for the test can be done either in-person or via the PM Pediatrics Anywhere telemedicine app. Results are reported in about four business days.