Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the problems in the United States has been a shortage of testing capability.

One of Warren General Hospital’s partners is taking steps to help alleviate that shortage.

Allegheny Health Network announced Thursday that it was setting up a test kit production center in Pittsburgh.

“AHN will transform the Highmark Health Penn Avenue Place auditorium into a COVID-19 test kit production center with the goal of creating 6,000 new kits by the end of this week and thousands more in the weeks ahead,” according to a Thursday release. “The effort is another example of AHN thinking out-of-the box in its pandemic response strategy to meet the community’s health needs at this challenging time, including the increasing demand for more COVID-19 test kits on the front lines.”

Officials at Warren General expect to see some benefit from the increased production by its partner.

Warren General has tested more than 124 patients and returned one positive result.

However, the hospital is only testing those who meet a list of requirements, have a doctor’s order, and are experiencing severe symptoms.

The hospital placed an order for another 1,000 tests, but was unsure when delivery would take place.