PITTSBURGH — With COVID-19 cases on the rise across the country and here in the Pittsburgh-area, many people are looking for locations to get tested.
But how long does it take to get the results?
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ALLEGHENY COUNTY
Residents now have access to a variety of options for testing including community-based testing, walk-up van testing, testing at the Federally Qualified Health Centers, and a McKeesport Drive-Thru test site. Additionally, a large number of community partners are offering testing opportunities as well. You can find a place to get tested using the Testing Site Locator Map.
CVS
For samples sent to the company’s lab partners, the average turnaround time for receiving results is 1-2 days, according to CVS website. CVS will send you a text with a secure link to view your results.
The rapid-result test is reliable for people who are recently infected or with symptoms. Your test results will be available in a few hours.
GIANT EAGLE
Drive-thru testing at select Pharmacy locations are now available to help you and your family stay safe.
Timing on receiving test results vary depending on the number of people taking the test.
MEDEXPRESS
Send-out PCR lab test results typically take two to three days to return from LabCorp, our nationwide lab partner. Please note that the return of results within the estimated timeframe is subject to laboratory capabilities and resources. They will call you with results as soon as they are received. You may also set up a profile with LabCorp to get your results directly.
The COVID-19 rapid antigen test generally provides results during your visit. Depending on your results and our health care professional’s evaluation of your symptoms, a COVID-19 send-out PCR lab test may also be conducted to provide a more accurate diagnosis.
However, due to the demand for COVID-19 evaluations and testing, many centers are experiencing an increase in average wait times.
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RITE AID
Rite Aid offers drive-thru testing at its locations with results available in two to five days by the email you provided when you register for the test. If your result is positive, a health care worker will call you.
They also offer mail-in kits. Return your kit with free overnight return shipping the same day you take your sample. You’ll get results within two business days of your kit arriving at the lab.
You can also take test at home, with results available within 15 minutes. It’s recommended to test twice within 3 days at least 36 hours apart.
WALGREENS
Walgreens offers both the PCR test, a rapid diagnostic test, and the rapid antigen test.
With the diagnostic lab test (PCR), test results are mostly available within 72 hours because samples are sent to a laboratory for testing, according to Walgreens’ website.
For the rapid diagnostic test, results are usually available within 24 hours.
Lastly, they offer the rapid antigen test. The test is offered at limited locations and results are available within one hour.
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WALMART
The drive-thru sites use a PCR self-administered nasal swab to test for active infection. This test allows those being tested to swab their own nose on-site while in their vehicles, observed by a trained Walmart pharmacist to ensure the sample is taken correctly, and then the sealed sample is dropped into a container on their way out of the drive-thru site.
Some locations provide access to testing with curbside pick-up of take-home, non-observed PCR self-administered collection kits to test for active infection. Customers can request a test kit at QuestCOVID19.com.
Timing on receiving test results vary depending on the number of people taking the test and the lab’s capacity to process the tests.
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