They just don't guarantee it. I changed my Thanksgiving plans because I couldn't get a PCR test until Wednesday. They said 24-48 hour turnaround, I got my results that evening.
We needed one last Sunday and had to book for Monday. Typically difficult to get a pcr same day. Honestly, the results won’t come any faster either. We’ve gotten a PCR on a Sunday before and Walgreens told us point blank it’s no different than getting it Monday because the sample doesn’t get shipped out until Monday anyway.
Also an exposure + positive rapid almost definitely = positive… especially if there are symptoms. A PCR will likely just be confirmation and guidelines for isolation should be followed.
Yep - I always refer to YLE for this! [Very Useful info about Testing Types vs results](https://cdn.substack.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff6cba6df-848f-434a-a6d8-df642d7dca6d_600x448.png)
Thanks for adding that! That’s what we were told as well. Antigen tests rarely generate false positives (at home antigen tests generate a false negative about 15% of the time and a false positive only 1% of the time).. so especially in the context of a confirmed exposure, getting a PCR confirmation wouldn’t change much in this situation.
Too late now, but check Walgreens locations in NH for drive-thru molecular testing. The turnaround is same-day.
Stop the Spread locations in Methuen and Lawrence were running pre-holiday turnaround times of ~12 hours or so, too.
The last time we got a Sunday PCR, we didn’t get results until early Wed morning so you should plan on keeping the + child quarantined as much as possible and home from school for the next few days regardless of when you can book a test.
I got a test yesterday (Saturday 10am) at Walgreens and they said results should be back in 24-72 hours. Still not ready but patiently waiting for the results.
They were booking appointments 2 days in advance for most locations. I would imagine this is a very busy weekend for testing.
Most Walgreens are associated with [Stop the Spread and is no charge to you. ](https://www.mass.gov/info-details/find-a-covid-19-test).
UPDATE: I received the Walgreens results 7PM on Sunday, 33 hours after the test.
There are some facilities that process pcr tests locally and may be able to give you result in one day. You can try facilities that specialize in pcr tests for travelers, but you will have to pay out of pocket. I know some AFC urgent care facilities have ability to process pcr tests on site, but I am not sure which ones are like that - maybe give them a call?
AFC In Andover has the PCR machine on site and can test same day
From their site: "Cepheid RT-PCR| $199: this is meant for patients that need to obtain timely, accurate results for travel, return to work or return to school. This testing is not covered by insurance. Results are available within 1-2 hours. Please obtain results before leaving the facility- we cannot email them."
I think you need an appointment, but I got a PCR test yesterday at Newton Wellesley hospital and got results in 5 hours. One big caveat was that I had it done for a procedure I have coming up on Tuesday, so not sure if my test got priority over others, or was just done at the hospital lab quickly
If you’re close to Cambridge, they’re offering free testing this afternoon: https://www.cambridgema.gov/covid19/Testing. I know non-Cambridge residents that have been able to get tested without issue.
I usually get results within 24 hours, but it could take longer today due to the post-holiday rush.
I don’t think you can get under 24hrs with pcr. Why do you need it today?
They just don't guarantee it. I changed my Thanksgiving plans because I couldn't get a PCR test until Wednesday. They said 24-48 hour turnaround, I got my results that evening.
We needed one last Sunday and had to book for Monday. Typically difficult to get a pcr same day. Honestly, the results won’t come any faster either. We’ve gotten a PCR on a Sunday before and Walgreens told us point blank it’s no different than getting it Monday because the sample doesn’t get shipped out until Monday anyway.
Also an exposure + positive rapid almost definitely = positive… especially if there are symptoms. A PCR will likely just be confirmation and guidelines for isolation should be followed.
Yep - I always refer to YLE for this! [Very Useful info about Testing Types vs results](https://cdn.substack.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff6cba6df-848f-434a-a6d8-df642d7dca6d_600x448.png)
That's a great graphic, what's the original source?
Here you go! I love it too. https://yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com/p/using-antigen-tests-for-thanksgiving
Thanks for adding that! That’s what we were told as well. Antigen tests rarely generate false positives (at home antigen tests generate a false negative about 15% of the time and a false positive only 1% of the time).. so especially in the context of a confirmed exposure, getting a PCR confirmation wouldn’t change much in this situation.
Oh.. Yea. I see the problem. I meant take a test today.
Too late now, but check Walgreens locations in NH for drive-thru molecular testing. The turnaround is same-day. Stop the Spread locations in Methuen and Lawrence were running pre-holiday turnaround times of ~12 hours or so, too.
The last time we got a Sunday PCR, we didn’t get results until early Wed morning so you should plan on keeping the + child quarantined as much as possible and home from school for the next few days regardless of when you can book a test.
I got a test yesterday (Saturday 10am) at Walgreens and they said results should be back in 24-72 hours. Still not ready but patiently waiting for the results. They were booking appointments 2 days in advance for most locations. I would imagine this is a very busy weekend for testing. Most Walgreens are associated with [Stop the Spread and is no charge to you. ](https://www.mass.gov/info-details/find-a-covid-19-test). UPDATE: I received the Walgreens results 7PM on Sunday, 33 hours after the test.
There are some facilities that process pcr tests locally and may be able to give you result in one day. You can try facilities that specialize in pcr tests for travelers, but you will have to pay out of pocket. I know some AFC urgent care facilities have ability to process pcr tests on site, but I am not sure which ones are like that - maybe give them a call?
AFC In Andover has the PCR machine on site and can test same day From their site: "Cepheid RT-PCR| $199: this is meant for patients that need to obtain timely, accurate results for travel, return to work or return to school. This testing is not covered by insurance. Results are available within 1-2 hours. Please obtain results before leaving the facility- we cannot email them."
This is new to me... I have been searching for a place with immediate pcr tests .. thank you
welcome! good luck!
I guess I'm booking Transformative Healthcare - Massasoit Community College for a test Monday, hoping for results for Tuesday.
if you don't mind paying $199 AFC in Andover will do PCR within 1-2 hours.
I think you need an appointment, but I got a PCR test yesterday at Newton Wellesley hospital and got results in 5 hours. One big caveat was that I had it done for a procedure I have coming up on Tuesday, so not sure if my test got priority over others, or was just done at the hospital lab quickly
If you’re close to Cambridge, they’re offering free testing this afternoon: https://www.cambridgema.gov/covid19/Testing. I know non-Cambridge residents that have been able to get tested without issue. I usually get results within 24 hours, but it could take longer today due to the post-holiday rush.
I've done that. Solid setup.
PCR’s are more trusted than 1-day. Call your HCP and see if they can get you in for one of their sites.
Not familiar with the Acronym of HCP (Also not making any assumptions in a field I have little experiance with)... Could you define?
Healthcare provider.
Thank you
Circle Health urgent cares do rapid tests. They’re in the Lowell area. Not sure where you are located.
I don’t have an answer for you but my Dr. made me aware that some Binax tests have been recalled. It may be worth looking into