COVID-19 Vaccine & Testing Info

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

COVID-19 warning signs requiring emergent medical care – proceed to local Emergency Department:

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
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+.