The rapid COVID test is also recommended for the screening of residents or healthcare workers at skilled nursing facilities along with a PCR confirmation, and for repeat screening for the early detection and prevention of outbreaks in congregate settings (such as schools, workplaces, and prisons).ĬOVID testing is available for free under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which includes testing for those without health insurance. To reduce the risk of facing extra costs related to COVID testing, ask your primary care doctor to recommend a free COVID test site, and confirm there are no charges or fees for the test that are not covered by your insurance plan. Antigen tests are also known as rapid tests and have an average turnaround time of between 15 to 30 minutes.īoth PCR and rapid COVID tests can be used to test people exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, those who were close contacts to COVID-19, and those without COVID-19 symptoms who live or work in a high-risk setting (such as a nursing facility) or those individuals who are identified as part of outbreak detection and response. The average turnaround time for PCR test results is 48 hours, but in some instances may be significantly longer due to backlogs related to insufficient lab volume and capacity. The molecular test, also known as a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, usually delivers results within a few days since most of these tests are sent to offsite labs for analysis. Viral COVID tests are available as molecular and antigen tests. The lab will test samples for the presence of the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), which causes COVID infection and either your care provider or the lab will notify you with the results as soon as they are available. After that, the samples are packaged according to CDC guidelines and tested on-site or transported to a facility for testing. A member of the medical team puts a swab inside your nose for a few seconds on each side to collect the sample. Most COVID tests are collected by a nasal swab. If you have been referred to get a COVID test by your healthcare provider or local health department.This could include travel, large social or mass gatherings, crowded indoor settings, etc. If you are unvaccinated and participated in high-risk activities where distancing is not an option.If you have been vaccinated, or tested positive in the past 3 months and not experiencing symptoms, you do not need to be tested. Close contact is defined as within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period. If you have been in close contact with someone with confirmed COVID-19.If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 including fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea.The CDC currently defines four instances where COVID testing is recommended: Who should get tested for current infection The presence of COVID antibodies may help to prevent you from becoming infected with the same virus again but, because the clinical understanding of COVID-19 is still developing, it's unclear how long that protection will continue. Results can take up to 2-3 days to arrive.Īntibody testing looks for a past infection and may not reveal if you have an active COVID-19 infection because antibodies can take up to three weeks to form in your body. The majority of tests, on the other hand, are collected at the clinic on-site and then submitted to off-site labs for processing. Some tests are processed out on-site and can provide results in as little as 30 minutes. Viral COVID testing can be done in a few different ways, the most common being nose swabs, but saliva tests are becoming more popular.
There are two types of coronavirus tests (COVID-19 tests) available, those that can test for a current infection (viral test) and those that can test for a past infection (antibody test). The staff was friendly and caring and knowledgeable and efficient! I am so thankful for Freeman Urgent Care! And highly recommend them! + More Anyway, a COVID TEST was done and I was able to get the results (NEGATIVE!) within 10 minutes !! So thankful !! And prescribed an antibiotic for possible sinus infection. But I had also had close family with me for a couple of days due to his condition. I was extremely concerned because I had spent the day before with my 87 year old dad in ER He had fallen at the nursing home and fractured both hips. then last night had a stuffy nose and sneezing and coughing. Have had a scratchy throat for a couple of days.
I was texted when a room was ready for me and upon entering the front door, a tech was waiting for me and took me right in and got did all the preliminary work.
and then just wait for my scheduled appt time. I liked that I could register for my appt. I had a completely positive experience this morning.