The U.S. is officially in the midst of a third wave of coronavius cases, with total cases now topping 11 million. The most recent surge in cases has strained medical facilities, and some do not have enough tests available for the number of people who need them. It may be difficult to get an appointment for COVID-19 testing through your doctor’s office or local hospital during the surge. The good news is that there are now more options for getting tested than ever before, including home test kits, airport testing sites, and testing sites at pharmacies. In this post, you’ll learn about four alternative options for COVID-19 tests besides your local urgent care or hospital.
1) Get Tested at an Airport
Airports all over the U.S. have opened testing centers in response to travelers’ needs. Most of these testing sites are open both to those traveling and the general public. Some airport sites even offer rapid COVID-19 testing in addition to the standard PCR COVID-19 test, which usually provides results within 48 hours (some advanced PCR tests offer results in 2-3 hours). Rapid testing provides results in about 15 minutes.
You can search your local airport for various testing options to find out the latest. Below are four airport examples.
Oakland International Airport: Oakland International Airport has a drive-through PCR testing site which operates from 9 AM to 5 PM daily. The site is open to the general public and results take about 48 hours. The tests are free, but appointments are required.
JFK International Airport: JFK offers advanced PCR testing (which generates results in about 2-3 hours), rapid testing (which provides results in about 15 minutes), and antibody testing for airport employees, travelers and the general public. Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins are accepted. Tests are not free but often covered by insurance.
Logan International Airport: Logan Airport in Boston has a testing site with both rapid and regular PCR COVID-19 tests available for travelers and employees. Appointments are recommended, and tests are not free but covered by most insurance.
Burlington International Airport: Both travelers and the general public can be tested at Burlington airport. Regular PCR tests, rapid tests, and flu tests are all available, and the testing center accepts a variety of health insurances. Appointments are required.
Other airports around the US are planning on launching testing sites soon, so be sure to research whether your nearest airport will be offering testing by the end of the year or in early 2021.
2) Get Tested at a Pharmacy
Several national pharmacy chains, including Walgreens, Walmart, and CVS, offer PCR COVID-19 tests. In addition to regular PCR tests, CVS also offers rapid tests (although the availability is limited). Some testing sites are drive-through, while others are inside the pharmacies themselves. Most are free or accept a variety of health insurances including Medicaid. Most require an appointment, which you can make online.
3) Get Tested at a Community Testing Site
Cities all over the U.S. are responding to the surge by scaling up testing and creating pop-up testing sites in parking lots, transit stations and even schools. Community testing sites are free and available to all regardless of insurance status or even immigration status (most allow noncitizens to be tested). You can find a community testing site near you here. Most community testing sites only offer PCR tests right now, but many will likely be providing rapid testing soon. While some community testing sites are walk-in, the majority require an appointment.
4) Get Tested At Home
Don’t want to risk exposing others by leaving your home if you need to get tested? You can actually get a COVID-19 test from home. Several companies, including Pixel, Everlywell, and Vault Health, offer home testing kits for COVID-19. The kits are covered by most insurances, and results are usually available 1-2 days after mailing back your sample. Tests arrive at your home 1-2 days after being ordered. Without insurance, the kits cost between $100 and $120.
Conclusion: There Are Testing Options For You
If you believe you may have been exposed to COVID-19, are feeling sick, have been at a gathering with people outside your household, or are an essential worker, it’s important to get tested for coronavirus. It’s also best to get tested before and after traveling. While hospitals and doctors’ offices are experiencing a surge in demand for testing, there are other options like pharmacy testing sites, airport testing and even home test kits. Some testing centers at airports and community pop-up sites are free, while others are covered by most health insurance. We will be updating the Skip blog throughout this winter with the latest information on COVID-19 testing, restrictions, caseloads and more.
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