Codman Square Health Center on Washington Street in Dorchester will expand its testing capacity starting this weekend thanks to funding and logistical support from the city of Boston.

Sandra Cotterell, the CEO of the health center, said that support from the Boston Resiliency Fund will go directly to pay for supplies and materials, including a large new tent that was set up in the parking lot of the health center today. Tests will be conducted inside the tent, Cotterell said.

"We are asking people to call us before they come in to schedule an appointment for testing," she said. "And we can also help with the pre-registration process."

Testing will only be offered to people who are feeling ill with symptoms consistent with the virus, she said
"This is will allow us to test not only our patients, but our larger community," said Cotterell.

Codman has already tested about 260 patients since March 16, she said. Of that number, 48 percent have tested positive. Test results are typically back within 2-3 days.

"This improves access, because there are a lot pf people who aren’t feeling well and don’t know where to go," said Cotterell. "Locall health centers in the community have become a resource for people to get answers to those questions. And of course anyone who tests positive, that will be reported to DPH and added to the database.

According to the Boston Public Health Commission, there were 4,763 known positive cases of coronavirus in the city of Boston as of Thurs., April 16. Of that number, 708 have reportedly recovered. 122 people have died from COVID-19 illness.

RELATED: Watch Codman CEO Sandra Cotterell on BNN-TV's Neighborhood Network News

Codman will be open Saturday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. for testing. It will also be open from Monday-Friday for normal business hours, 9 a.m.- 7 p.m.

Call 617-822-8271 or go to codman.org to schedule a test.