WellNow Urgent Care has now been offering for more than two weeks, two types of COVID-19 testing at its Central New York clinics. The first type is a molecular polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or nasal swab test, which is used to diagnose current COVID-19 infections. The second test is a blood antibody serology test that […]
WellNow Urgent Care has now been offering for more than two weeks, two types of COVID-19 testing at its Central New York clinics.
The first type is a molecular polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or nasal swab test, which is used to diagnose current COVID-19 infections. The second test is a blood antibody serology test that is used to detect recent or past exposure to the coronavirus.
WellNow provided CNYBJ testing data for the two-week period from May 6 through May 19. The offices involved performed a total of 3,790 antibody tests and a total of 640 molecular tests. The average antibody tests per day for Central New York clinics was 271 in the period, and the average number of molecular tests per day at those same clinics was 46, according to the WellNow data.
“Bringing both types of COVID-19 testing to our communities in Central New York is a top priority right now,” Dr. John Radford, president of WellNow Urgent Care, said in a statement, when WellNow launched the testing. “As New York [starts reopening], providing all our communities with answers to their COVID-19 questions is as much our responsibility as is making sure all our centers remain a safe and welcoming place for all urgent care needs.”
Testing is available at WellNow’s Central New York offices that include Auburn, Cicero, Clay, DeWitt, Fairmount, Fayetteville, Liverpool, Oneida, Oswego, and Rome. The tests are available seven days a week with no appointments needed.
About the tests
The molecular (PCR) test, like a flu test, requires a nasopharyngeal swab to determine if a patient has COVID-19. Antibody testing uses a blood sample to determine the presence of antibodies in response to a recent or past COVID-19 infection. Additionally, antibody testing can suggest if an individual may have some protection from the virus and help identify potential plasma donors.
All patients are screened in their car, provided a mask, and brought directly to a private patient room for further evaluation and testing. Both tests are “highly accurate,” and the two accepted forms of COVID-19 screening used by health providers, and validated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, WellNow says.
Labs are overnighted, with results returned three to five days later through an online portal located at www.mybostonheart.com.
Besides the testing, WellNow locations continue to provide treatment for non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses, such as sprains, strains, colds and the flu, while also providing on-site X-rays, lab testing, and physicals. Patients are treated on a walk-in basis.
