Coronavirus: facts, testing, and treatments

Testing options for potential COVID-19 infections:

1. Rapid Antigen Testing

(The office visit and Rapid Antigen test will be billed to your insurance. If you do not have insurance, the price for the office visit is $120 and the rapid antigen test is $50.)

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. You will receive the results of this test during your office visit. Our centers offer the Rapid Antigen test. This test can detect specific select proteins found in the virus, meaning 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. Your provider may discuss needing additional backup testing for a negative Rapid Antigen test.

2. PCR Molecular Testing

(Cost depends on your insurance plan. Lab cost is billed separately by PathGroup.)

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 infected. By detecting viral RNA, the test can confirm whether someone has the virus even if they are not experiencing any symptoms. Due to demands on the laboratory, test result time could take up to 48 hours. While awaiting your test result, it is recommended you quarantine at home.

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. 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 take up to 48 hours. 

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

The FDA has recently approved two oral medications that we can prescribe during an office visit.

Paxlovid by Pfizer can be prescribed for ages 12 and older who weigh at least 88 pounds and have mild to moderate symptoms of five days or less, have had a positive COVID-19 test, and are at high risk for severe disease. It is a combination pack of 2 generic antiviral medications (Nirmatrelvir and Ritonavir).  Three tablet pills are taken twice a day for five days. It is 89% effective against hospitalization and death.

Lagevrio (generic name: Molnupiravir) by Merck is for adults 18 and older who have mild to moderate Covid-19 symptoms of five days or less, have had a positive COVID-19 test, and are at high risk for hospitalization and death.  It includes 4 capsules taken every 12 hours for five days.  It is less than 50% effective against hospitalization and death.

While we can prescribe these medications, the challenge at present is that they are in very low supply by some pharmacies. This Therapeutic Locator or this website can help our providers or patients identify by zip code which local pharmacies carry these medications.

For more information about these medication therapies, please visit this website.

Viruses constantly change through mutation, and new variants of a virus are expected to occur. Click here to learn more about these two variants of COVID-19.

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

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. 
• 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.
• When patients check in, our front desk team member will perform an initial COVID-19 screening. If a patient meets any of the screening criteria, the patient is instructed to return to their car until time to be seen in the center. This ensures limited exposure to patients being seen for non-infectious matters.

Health officials recommend the following steps to stay safe and 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 in public settings, if not vaccinated.
• 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.

• Click here for frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccination
• Millions of people in the United States have received COVID-19 vaccines under the most intense safety monitoring in U.S. history. The vaccines approved have been found to be safe and effective.
• Many people have reported only mild side effects after COVID-19 vaccination.
• Click here to learn more about COVID-19 vaccine safety and possible side effects.
• The CDC recommends you get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible.

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.