Over the pandemic, drive-thru coronavirus testing sites have proved helpful in keeping those taking and conducting tests healthy. If you have COVID-19 signs, including fever, exhaustion, or shortness of breath, here’s how to drive through testing sites works and how to find one near you.
How to Find Coronavirus Testing Site near Me?
COVID-19 tests are now more available than ever before. Thanks to a growing collaboration between healthcare clinics, such as primary care clinics and emergency care centers, and pharmacies to offer tests in their localities.
Here are a few easy ways to locate a testing place that is close to you and convenient:
- Create an appointment with your primary care provider. They are the first place to get tested for COVID-19 and directed to a testing center.
- For community-based research locations, go to the state’s department of health’s website.
- Check out the neighborhood store. Most CVS, Walgreens, and Kroger pharmacies now collect specimens or provide rapid testing at their sites countrywide.
- Use Google or Google Maps to find what you’re looking for. A list of nearby research sites will appear if you check for “COVID test” in your web browser or the Google Maps mobile app. Then, to see whether you apply for testing at these sites, read the instructions given.
Why Is Coronavirus Testing Through Drive-Thru A Safe Option?
Although much about the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is still unclear, one thing is sure: it is highly infectious. When waiting for a Covid-19 test at a hospital or clinic, patients who do not have COVID-19 could be subjected to it.
Coronavirus drive-thru test was first introduced in South Korea and soon spread to other countries. The premise is simple: the risk of COVID-19 spreading is significantly minimized by keeping potentially ill patients in their vehicles and allowing adequate ventilation in the testing sites.
What Is the Duration of a Drive-Thru Coronavirus Test?
The bulk of drive-thru facilities do not have actual research capabilities; instead, they merely gather specimens. A nasal or throat swab will be used to extract samples from you, and the whole operation will take less than 10 minutes.
After that, the sample(s) will be sent to a lab for analysis. Your test results should be available within 24 to 48 hours, including transit periods. Still, delays may cause the testing period to be extended to up to a week. Instructions on how to receive the test reports will be given by your testing platform.
If you live in a COVID-19 hotspot, the demand for drive-thru tests may be incredibly high. Expect lengthy wait times on-site, particularly if you’re in a major city and your testing location doesn’t include appointments. Plan ahead because drive-thru test areas are unlikely to have toilets.
Some testing sites also offer newer “rapid assessments,” which deliver results in as little as 15 minutes. These tests raise the risk of a false negative, which means the result comes out negative even though you have COVID-19. A positive rapid test indicates that you are most likely infected with the virus; however, a negative rapid test should be checked with a regular molecular test.
