Turn around time for PCR test at Walgreens?
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Anonymous
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Yes, I am vaccinated, BUT:
I need a negative covid test for a specific event--I don't have symptoms and have not been exposed to Covid, it is just required for this event. I didn't specifically ask my event, but everything I've read about in regards to other events/travel etc. says a "negative Covid test within 72 hours"--so I scheduled a PCR test at Walgreens about 55 ish hours before my event. I thought PCR test results come back approx 24 hours later, and that would be fine... But Walgreens told me it would be back "within 72 hours!" Yikes! That's not soon enough for my event! I guess I should have scheduled it MORE than 72 hours ahead of my event? But I was thinking that is too far away, and theoretically gave way to much time for me to be exposed/contract Covid in the meantime. Anyone have any experience with a PCR at Walgreens, and think it could really take that long? I even tried looking into scheduling a rapid test--but I can't find ANYTHING available at Walgreens or CVS-I even looked as far away as Richmond! My doctor's office does not offer covid testing. Advice? Thank you! |
Anonymous
| It’s usually 48 hours at Walgreens. If your test is scheduled for the morning, that’s better. Still, you will sweat it out. It’s cutting it close. |
Anonymous
Thanks I thought I was doing the right thing--since testing too far out left too much room to get exposed/contract it in the meantime. |
Anonymous
| and yes, the test was this morning. My event is Saturday evening...will the fact that it's over a weekend make it worse? Thanks! |
Anonymous
What day/time is your test? |
Anonymous
Oh sorry, i see now you said this morning. It should be fine. Fingers crossed for you! |
Anonymous
Thank you! I am stressing so hard--looking at the Walgreens website the only thing I could find was on Saturday afternoon (too late for my event) in Laurel Delaware (I live in Virginia!) It looks like they don't want to give rapid tests to anyone that's not actually showing symptoms or was exposed |
Anonymous
| Go to same day testing - they have PCR results back the next day. |
Anonymous
Where would i go for this? Everywhere I try to look, it requires an appointment or requires that you be symptomatic--I defintely don't want to lie and say I'm symptomatic. |
Anonymous
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OP here again
This morning I checked and there were many rapid test appointments available at my local CVS! I quickly booked one for later this afternoon and when I got the confirmation noticed that it said "Test type: Rapid-result test (antigen)" Doesn't the "antigen" means it's checking to see if I've had it in the past? That isn't what I need...I need to prove I don't have it now. It's really early and I haven't had coffee yet, so I'm a little confused and want to make sure it definitely is not the right test before I cancel it. |
Anonymous
No, it’s the rapid test that will give results in 15 min. They are not as accurate as the pcr but since you don’t have symptoms, have not been exposed, are vaccinated and are doing this to fill a requirement, it will be fine. |
Anonymous
| I did a PCR at cvs last week on a Wednesday. The results came back late Friday night. If you need it fast and they’ll accept the rapid anitigen one, do that. The antigen is similar to the PCR in that it’s looking for a current infection. |
Anonymous
| And this is the ridiculousness with testing. How can these results not be turned around faster? |
Anonymous
| Thank you so much everyone! I'm keeping that appointment. |
Anonymous
They are swamped right now. |