COVID-19 Screening & Testing
• NO SYMPTOMS •
(pre-event or pre-travel, close contact exposure)
NOTE: None of the local health systems, nor rootsMD have capacity to test *asymptomatic patients
Post-exposure testing: test 3-5 days after exposure. Mask indoors in public for 14 days from exposure.
PCR Testing:
- Community Test Sites & Pharmacies. Results in 2-3 days.
- Can bill insurance, and some sites offer free testing for uninsured https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/community-testing.htm
- Local Pharmacies: multiple area Hometown Pharmacies and Walgreens, Fitchburg Family Pharmacy
- Click the map below, or find up-to-date links to community sites per WI Dept of Health Services HERE.
RAPID Antigen Testing:
- 15min turnaround time, less accurate than PCR
- Home Testing: buy onsite or order online – BinaxNOW COVID-19 Antigen Self Test Kit, 2 nasal swabs done 36-72 hours apart. Approx $25 at Walgreens, CVS/Target, Walmart, etc.
- Drive through testing: Check area pharmacies, some do rapid testing and may be able to bill your insurance (Walgreens, etc)
When to Retest after a Rapid Antigen Test:
– https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publications/p02830.pdf
COMMUNITY TEST SITES (click the map below)
• SYMPTOMATIC •
Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. COVID-19 symptoms may include:
Fever (>100.4) or chills • Cough • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing • Fatigue • Muscle or body aches • Headache • New loss of taste or smell • Sore throat • Congestion or runny nose • Nausea or vomiting • Diarrhea
- Trouble breathing, unable to speak in full sentences, or home pulse ox ≤92%
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone
Parking Lot/Drive-Through PCR Testing: For mild symptoms that feel like seasonal allergy congestion or typical cold/sinus symptoms
- Community Test Sites & Pharmacies (see Asymptomatic testing links, results 48-72hrs)
- Mount Horeb School District: Bus Garage (421 W. Garfield – Door #4 – Southside of the building) Monday-Friday from 8:30am to 2:30pm
available to anyone who is responsible for direct care of a MHASD student (e.g. grandparents who live with their grandchildren; post K-12 siblings who live with a student(s), etc.)
More info HERE
- Verona Area School District: rapid testing available to students/staff
- Local HMO Insurance-Based Health System – may require MyChart or Video Visit, or in-network PCP test order. (results 24-48hrs)
- Quartz/UW options:
- contact in-network PCP for COVID test order, then call 608-720-5111 to schedule drive through test-only at John Wall Drive site
- Dean Health Plan/SSM options:
- complete an e-visit or contact SSM PCP office for drive-through test order at SSM East or West Urgent Care sites
- Quartz/UW options:
- PCR drive-up testing at rootsMD (results 48-72hrs)
- Mon/Wed/Thurs 9am – 4pm as Dr. P’s patient schedule allows
- samples are sent to LabCorp in Madison, they can bill most insurances including local HMOs; if uninsured, self pay wholesale cost is $80 (or contact South Madison Public Health site at 2230 S. Park Street for free testing)
Office Visit and PCR +/- rapid testing: For moderate symptoms that require in-person evaluation to ensure stable vitals signs, evaluate need for higher level of care or treatment and/or to consider secondary bacterial infection if worsening symptoms after 7+ days of milder symptoms.
- Local Insurance-Based Health System
- Contact in-network PCP office to schedule visit
- Seek care at local Urgent Care site
- Office visit at rootsMD
- Mon/Wed/Thurs 9am – 4pm; contact Dr. P via portal message or phone for triage.
COVID-19 Pfizer Booster Dose Eligibility
As of 10/22/2021, the CDC recommendations for Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and J&J booster vaccines are:
- Pfizer / Moderna: 6+ months out from 2nd dose
- J&J: 2+ months out from initial vaccine
- You may boost with ANY of the 3 vaccines, regardless of which one you had for initial vaccination (ie, you can mix and match)
The following people currently qualify for a booster dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine:
- People aged 65 years and older
- People aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of an occupational setting which include:
- First responders (healthcare workers, firefighters, police, congregate care staff)
- Education staff (teachers, support staff, childcare workers)
- Food and agriculture workers
- Manufacturing workers
- Corrections workers
- U.S. Postal Services workers
- Public transit workers
- Grocery store workers
- People 18-49 years who are at high risk for severe COVID-19 disease due to certain underlying conditions:
- Chronic kidney disease
- Chronic lung diseases (COPD, cystic fibrosis, asthma (moderate to severe), interstitial lung disease, pulmonary hypertension)
- Dementia or other neurological conditions
- Diabetes (types 1&2)
- Down syndrome
- Heart conditions ( heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies, hypertension, etc.)
- HIV infection
- Immunocompromised state
- Liver disease
- Overweight and obesity
- Pregnancy
- Sickle cell disease or thalassemia
- Smoking (current or former)
- Solid organ or blood stem cell transplant
- Stroke or cerebrovascular disease, which affects blood flow to the brain
- Substance abuse disorders
Vaccination remains the single most effective method for preventing severe COVID-19 illness and death. Benefits of the vaccine(s) far outweigh the risks, and COVID-19 infection carries much higher health risk. Please vaccinate!
WHERE TO GET VACCINATED FOR COVID-19:
- Local pharmacy
- Insurance based health system/clinic
- County Public Health Department (uninsured)
- More info/search for sites at vaccines.gov
CDC/FDA currently recommend COVID-19 vaccination for people ages 12+ years old, and Emergency Use Authorization is now (10/29/2021) approved for ages 5yo+.
