WellNow Urgent Care rolls out rapid COVID-19 tests at Oswego and Oneonta sites

WellNow Urgent Care last week began offering the Abbott ID NOW COVID-19 rapid molecular (PCR) test to symptomatic patients at its Oswego and Oneonta centers. It hopes to bring the tests to other sites across New York state as well.

Tests are administered and analyzed directly at the urgent-care center, “delivering results to patients in less than 15 minutes,” WellNow announced. Testing is offered seven days a week, with no appointment, prescription, or referral needed.

When asked why it chose the Oswego and Oneonta locations for these tests, WellNow replied in an email, “WellNow chose Oneonta and Oswego as beta sites for rapid testing and to determine the best way to proceed before bringing this service to other centers.”

The urgent-care provider is working with manufacturers to secure more rapid tests, “eventually bringing it to all centers across New York and Illinois.”

The rapid molecular (PCR) COVID-19 test requires a nasal swab to determine if a patient has an active COVID-19 infection. WellNow will give patients a “full evaluation” in advance of the test. Administered rapid tests will return results within 15 minutes, the urgent-care company said.

“As we prepare for summer to end, other illnesses that have symptoms similar to COVID-19 — such as colds and the flu — will start to rise. Coupled with communities reopening, this creates the strong need for COVID-19 testing options that inform patients with the meaning of their symptoms,” Dr. Tanvir Dara, chief medical officer at WellNow Urgent Care, said. “To continue slowing the spread of the virus, it is critical patients can understand if they have the virus as quickly as possible.

All forms of COVID-19 testing are currently covered for patients that have insurance through the CARES Act, WellNow said. Self-pay patients receiving a rapid molecular (PCR) test will be charged $55 in addition to the base visit fee.