WellNow Urgent Care begins COVID-19 testing at CNY offices

WellNow Urgent Care on Wednesday announced it is offering two types of COVID-19 testing at its Central New York facilities.

They include molecular polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing and blood antibody serology testing.

Individuals who have or recently had COVID-19 symptoms are eligible to receive the tests. They will be available seven days a week with no appointments needed.

“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. “As New York prepares to reopen, 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.

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 will be 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.

Labs are overnighted, with results returned three to five days later through an online portal located at www.mybostonheart.com.

“These COVID-19 tests offer Central New York reliable screening that provides patients clarity on their symptoms and helps guide the best course of action for their care,” Dr. Tanvir Dara, chief medical officer of WellNow Urgent Care, said. “Furthermore, using the collective data from these tests may offer a deeper understanding on how widespread the virus is within our communities, helping to inform greater decisions about the health and safety of all.”

Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon on Wednesday said the county would like to find out more about WellNow’s testing plans and how it will work. “We would like to have a talk with them about how they’re going to do it.,” he said at his daily COVID-19 briefing at the Oncenter.

Besides the testing, WellNow locations continue to providing 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.