Facts about Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Your continued trust is important, and your safety and that of our team members is top priority. Our urgent care centers continue stringent practices to prevent the spread of illness – and we’ve implemented even more intense measures.

• We encourage social distancing in our lobby, and provide a facemask for you to wear during your visit if that makes you more comfortable. 
• We reinforce meticulous cleaning and infection control practices. Our rigorous disinfecting procedures meets or exceeds recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). All patient care rooms, lobby chairs and surfaces, restrooms, doors, screens and counters, and other routinely touched surfaces are regularly sanitized.
• In each of our centers, we have added air filters that protect against the spread of respiratory contaminants. These units include the ability to help with air turnover and will filter the air to a level of HEPA 13 – currently gold standard for COVID-19 filtration. They remove 99% of air contaminants in an exam room within 15 minutes (as defined by the CDC).
• We encourage you to use Hold My Spot® to schedule an approximate visit time. That way, you can rest in the comfort of your home or car and come into the center when you receive a text. We also offer Telemedicine virtual visits, allowing you on-demand access to care with one of our providers in the comfort of your home.
• Our front door has a notice that initially screens high-risk patients. If that patient meets any of the noted criteria, the notice instructs the patient to return to their car and call us so we can screen that patient appropriately. This ensures limited exposure to patients being seen for non-infectious matters.

Testing options for potential COVID-19 infections:

1. Rapid Antigen Testing

If you are currently experiencing COVID-19 symptoms that began less than 5 days ago, a nasal swab can be performed to indicate whether you are positive for the virus. The Sofia 2 Rapid Antigen test can detect specific select proteins found in the virus. This means a positive result is highly accurate. However, a negative test result does not rule out infection (a false negative result) – thus, it is still possible to have the COVID-19 infection with a negative Rapid Antigen test. You will receive the results of this test during your office visit. Your provider may discuss the need to perform additional backup testing for a negative rapid antigen test.

2. PCR Molecular Testing

If you are currently experiencing COVID-19 symptoms that began more than 5 days ago – or for anyone requesting testing without having any symptoms, a nasal swab can be performed to indicate whether you are positive for the virus. The PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test can detect the genetic information of the virus, the RNA. This is present if the virus is in someone who is actively infected. By detecting viral RNA, which will be in the body before antibodies form or symptoms are present, the test can tell whether someone has the virus very early on. Test result time may vary from 3 to 5 business days. 

Testing option for immunity to past COVID-19 infection:

Antibody (Serology) Testing

All of the Urgent Team Family of Walk-in and Urgent Care Centers now offer antibody testing for COVID-19.  This test is performed using Roche Elecsys® SARS-CoV-2 antibody test. An antibody is a protein produced by your body in response to an infection like SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, and may help in fighting the infection. The antibody test DOES NOT measure active infection for COVID-19, but rather your body’s response to an infection.  At this time, much is unknown about immunity to COVID-19.  A positive antibody test does not guarantee immunity to the COVID-19 coronavirus. Patients should continue to follow CDC guidelines such as handwashing, social distancing and using a mask even if an antibody test is positive. Test result time may vary from 3 to 5 business days. 

At present, most insurance plans cover the cost of these tests. Please check with your insurance plan.

This self-checker from the CDC will help you make decisions about seeking appropriate medical care.

While there is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19, health officials recommend the following steps to help prevent the spread:

• Do not have close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home if you exhibit any symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone sick.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and dispose of used tissue in the trash.
• Clean your hands often. Wash your hands with soap and water, or alcohol-based hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol), for at least 20 seconds.
• Clean and sanitize frequently-touched objects and surfaces – daily.
• The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings when around others and in public settings.
• Avoid close contact with others, put a distance of at least 6-feet between yourself and other people outside of your home, as social distancing remains important.
• Monitor your health and be alert for fever, cough, shortness of breath or other symptoms.

The CDC has released a helpful guideline that gives guidance on how to keep your workplace, home, schools and commercial establishments safe. Click here to view the CDC Coronavirus Guidelines PDF

Rumors can easily circulate during a crisis. This page from FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) helps distinguish between rumors and facts regarding the response to COVID-19 pandemic.

• Huntsville Hospital Fever & Flu Clinic: 120 Governors Drive, Huntsville, AL 35801 | Weekdays 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Alabama Department of Public Health Coronavirus Hotline,  (888) 264-2256 for testing sites and hours of operation. Or visit this web page.

• Arkansas Department of Health: Testing Sites and Guidance for Getting Tested and Testing & Screening Locations
• University of Arkansas for Medical Services (UAMS): Free Online Screening | UAMS Health Hotline: (800) 632-4502
• Washington Regional – Screening locations and guidelines are listed on this page | Free online Screening | Screening Hotline: (479) 463-2055
• Testing locations in Northwest Arkansas
• Baptist Health 24/7 Hotline: 1 (888) BAPTIST or 1 (888) 227-8478
• Baptist Health Virtual Care: Click here
• Baptist Health Drive-Through Screening Locations: Click here
•  Unity Health Information and Telemedicine

• Click here for updates and guidance from the Georgia Department of Public Health.
• State of Georgia COVID-19 hotline:  (844) 442-2681

• A Vanderbilt employee or patient with symptoms can call (888) 312-0847 to be assessed | Available daily, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• The Tennessee Department of Health Information Line is, (877) 857-2945 | Available daily, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
• Testing locations listed in the Tennessean: View testing locations.

• Testing is performed at these Mississippi Department of Health locations and health centers.
• COVIOD-19 Hotline: (877) 978-6453 | Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.