- Through LabFinder you can schedule COVID Antibody Testing and COVID PCR Swab Testing as well as the nasal swab Rapid COVID Test.
- Both the Rapid COVID Test and COVID PCR Swab Test can determine if someone is currently infected with COVID-19, the COVID Antibody Test is used to determine if someone has had COVID-19 in the past.
- All three tests are important and have their specific uses. Please note, all labs have instituted all procedural changes recommended by the CDC to ensure that all of our patients’ safety is protected in every way possible when they come to the office or test facility for appointments while the pandemic is ongoing.
When to test
A new mandate from the New York State Department of Health requires screening all patients for COVID-19 prior to elective surgical and medical procedures. In order to provide the safest environment for all patients, LabFinder is expanding COVID-19 testing capability to offer Rapid COVID Test for the novel coronavirus. In a time when some laboratories are dealing with a backlog of COVID tests causing patients to wait days for delayed results, these FDA-approved throat and nasal swabs will return a positive or negative test result in only 15 minutes.
Can someone infected get the Rapid COVID Test?
If someone thinks they are infected, they should stay home to limit the spread of the infection to others. The CDC currently recommends that you should stay home until: you have not had a fever for 72 hours or more (that is no fever for three full days without the use of fever reducing medicine). any symptoms have gotten better (for example, when a cough or shortness of breath has improved). at least 7 days have passed since your first symptoms showed up.
What protocol is used for the Rapid COVID-19 Test?
All labs use the Sofia SARS Antigen Fluorescent Immunoassay (FIA) for the Rapid COVID Test. This is a state-of-the-art technology to detect nucleocapsid proteins indicating the presence of SARS-CoV-2. This produces accurate results with a quick, simple, and easy-to-use rapid covid test. The Sofia SARS Antigen FIA has been designed to reduce the chance of false positive test results. However, if you test positive, we recommend isolating yourself, monitoring household and other close contacts for symptoms, limiting contact with family or friends, limiting contact with other potentially infected COVID-19 patients, and limiting the ability to go to work. Also, if you think you may have a false positive, schedule another Rapid COVID Test to confirm the positive test result.
What does the COVID Rapid Antigen Test result mean?
The Rapid COVID Test tells you if the COVID-19 virus is currently present. The Rapid COVID Test does not tell us if the patient has been infected by COVID-19 in the past or if any other viable viruses are present in their system. The presence of other seasonal coronaviruses does not affect the results of the Rapid COVID test.
How do I schedule an appointment for the Rapid COVID Test?
LabFinder is the premier lab scheduling platform for Covid-19 Testing. To book a Rapid COVID Test, click to schedule. If you have traveled to a designated Covid-19 hot spot state in the last 14 days you may have to schedule a virtual appointment and allow our providers to advise you on next steps of care before presenting to the testing facility. In many cases you may be asked to come to a facility 14 days after your arrival to the NYC area. Please note we have been provided feedback that for certain travel, a PCR test result is required within 72 hours. The PCR test results typically come back in 3-5 business days while the Rapid COVID Antigen Test is not PCR. Please check any travel requirements prior to scheduling to avoid any confusion. A new mandate from the New York State Department of Health requires screening all patients for COVID-19 prior to elective surgical and medical procedures. In order to provide the safest environment for all patients, LabFinder is expanding COVID-19 testing capability to offer Rapid COVID Test for the novel coronavirus. In a time when some laboratories are dealing with a backlog of COVID tests causing patients to wait days for delayed results, these FDA-approved throat and nasal swabs will return a positive or negative test result in only 15 minutes.
Quick Facts:
Purpose of Test: Tests for Current COVID-19 Infection Method: Nasal Swab Result in: 15 minutes Test: Quidel Sofia 2 FDA Emergency Use Authorization
Procedure
The Rapid COVID Test is a nasal swab administered test by the testing facility which tests for the active COVID-19 virus. For the Rapid COVID Test, a medical staff member uses a long swab to collect the nasal passage through the nostril. The swab is entered into an on-site machine where it takes a short amount of time for results. Part of the quick results is the swab is not sent off-site. With results in just 15 minutes, the Rapid Antigen Test can determine whether the patient is infected with acute COVID-19, as opposed to most nasal swab tests which take an estimated 3-5 days.