How Does Covid-19 In Home Testing Work and How To Get It In LA
LA County continues to linger in stage 1 of 4 in its reopening plan, which attempts to mitigate community transmission of COVID-19. The county has yet to see infection rates dip below a threshold that would allow for a progressive re-opening of the county. This week, on October 22nd, LA reported the highest number of new, active COVID-19 cases since July.[1] It remains clear that continued access to and understanding of COVID-19 testing is a critical component for staying healthy and safe. In-home testing can help you get the answers you need without potential exposure to the virus.
What Tests Are Available For COVID-19?
There are several different ways by which COVID-19 is tested. Some tests will look for active COVID-19 in a swab of one’s nasal passages. Others will look at one’s blood for traces of proteins called antibodies that the body manufactures to rid itself of viral infections like COVID-19. The new saliva test detects the virus using a sample of your spit.
Where are these tests found?
There are a variety of options for those seeking a COVID-19 test. Los Angeles County has opened up many testing sites to respond to its spike in its number of COVID-19 cases. Some of its recent uptick is attributable to delayed test-result reporting. Historically, LA County has taken days to weeks to return COVID-19 test results to patients. [2]
There are over 130 different testing locations within Los Angeles County. A directory of those locations can be found here.
Are DIY COVID-19 tests an option?
Some, but not all tests, can be performed via “do it yourself” kits sold at pharmacies and online. Blood tests which trace one’s history of COVID-19 exposure cannot be done at home without the assistance of a medical professional. The rapid antigen test, which looks for an active infection, is also not yet available for home use.
The DIY tests currently available are RT-PCR swab tests and the new saliva test, both of which are designed to detect a current infection. These tests can take several days to yield results since they need to be sent to a lab for processing.
Is it possible to have COVID-19 tests performed at home?
In-home medical care services offer an expanded selection of tests, such as rapid antigen testing, which provide results within minutes. These tests are similar to PCR viral tests insofar as they are proctored with a cotton swab. However, the tests look for different aspects of the virus (traces of its protein rather than RNA) and do not require the same amount of time to obtain results.[3]In fact, this test yields within 15 minutes. You can also get the antibody blood test at home to determine if you’ve already been infected, whether or not you had symptoms.
Not having to wait more than a matter of minutes is invaluable when it comes to coronavirus testing in Los Angeles. LA continues its fight against COVID-19. To date, LA County has registered 294,000 cases and 7,000 deaths from COVID-19. That number continues to rise, along with the number of daily, new cases. Testing remains critical in managing the spread of COVID-19. A negative test has a multitude of ramifications, something which can be obtained in a matter of minutes with an in-home COVID-19 testing service such as Concierge MD LA.
How does in-home testing work?
The in-home testing process involves having a clinician come to the patient’s home, administering whichever tests are deemed most appropriate, and handling the process of shipping the test to their lab (with the exception of the rapid antigen test, which is processed onsite). The clinician will provide an in-detail consultation to fully explain the results of the test and ensure that any questions about the test and its implications are answered.
In-home coronavirus testing services may also have the added benefits of supplemental vaccinations and boosters, including vaccination against seasonal flu and supplements to boost immunity.
The CDC recommends self-quarantining when awaiting test results, but one can bypass that period with a rapid antigen test from in-home medical care services. Moreover, at-home appointments ensure less possible exposure to the virus and the peace of mind that testing needs are facilitated by the highest caliber medical care.
When should a COVID-19 test be taken?
This test is recommended in two specific scenarios. Primarily, one should seek out a COVID-19 test in the event they show symptoms of a COVID-19 infection. These symptoms include, but are not limited to, fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, body-aches, headaches, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.
A COVID-19 test should also be sought if one has been within 6 feet of proximity to an individual with a confirmed case of COVID-19. Note that a test can only confirm a case of COVID-19 from the time at which the swab was administered and before. Any interim time between test and result will remain unaccounted (in other words, if you are not sick at the time of your test, you could potentially become ill with subsequent exposure and your result return ‘negative’).
