COVID-19 Testing Information

COVID-19 Testing Information

As part of our commitment to help Georgia fight COVID-19, Wellstar Health System is offering COVID-19 diagnostic testing — including PCR and rapid antigen COVID-19 tests — as well as antibody testing across our hospitals, health parks, medical offices, pediatric locations and urgent care centers.

Rapid antigen COVID-19 testing is also now available at many Wellstar primary care and pediatric locations. For more information, call your specific healthcare provider’s office.

Before you or a loved one gets tested, it’s important to know:

Diagnostic tests for COVID-19 — such as PCR and rapid antigen COVID-19 tests — detect the current presence of the virus.
Antibody tests determine whether you have been previously infected by the COVID-19 virus. These tests should not be used to diagnose someone who may have a current case of COVID-19.

Use the information below to find the best place to get tested, depending on your medical circumstance.

Know Where to Go

When it comes to COVID-19 testing, it’s essential to know the best testing location for your medical circumstance. However, where you should go to get tested depends on your level of exposure and severity of COVID-19 symptoms:

If you have no symptoms with known, possible or no known exposure, visit an urgent care, primary care office or other testing site.
If you have mild symptoms with known, possible or no known exposure, go to an urgent care, primary care office or other testing site.
If you have moderate symptoms with known, possible or no known exposure, visit an urgent care or primary care office.
If you have severe symptoms, visit with known, possible or no known exposure, seek immediate help at an emergency department.
If a test is required for school, work or travel, get tested at an urgent care or primary care office.
If you are simply curious if you’ve had a past COVID-19 infection, visit a primary care location.

Refer to the sections below for specific information about the types of COVID-19 testing offered by Wellstar Health System.

General Information

COVID-19 Diagnostic Testing

Wellstar is offering two different types of COVID-19 testing: PCR and rapid antigen COVID-19 tests. Both of these tests diagnose the current presence of the virus.

All Wellstar physicians can refer patients for screening and COVID-19 testing, and anyone experiencing symptoms should contact a medical professional for eligibility.

PCR vs Rapid Testing

In both tests, a nasopharyngeal swab is administered to collect a sample. This means a swab is inserted through the nose to collect nasal secretions from the back of the nose and throat.
PCR tests detect viral genetic material in the sample. Test results are typically available within 24 hours. Same-day results are available at the urgent care centers located at Wellstar health parks if testing is completed by noon.
In contrast, rapid antigen COVID-19 tests detect specific protein in the collected sample, which may indicate a COVID-19 infection. Results are available at the point-of-care, normally in 15 to 30 minutes.

	Detection Method	Testing Method	Turnaround Time	Accuracy
PCR	Genetic material from the virus	Processed in a laboratory	Typically within 24 hours, but same-day at select Wellstar urgent care centers if testing is completed by noon	Highly accurate
Rapid	Specific proteins from the virus	Processed at point-of-care	Typically within 15 to 30 minutes	Mostly accurate

If you feel you need a COVID-19 diagnostic test, contact any Wellstar primary care physician or seek care at any Wellstar urgent care center, health park, medical office, pediatric location or emergency department.

COVID-19 Antibody Testing

Antibody blood tests check your blood by looking for antibodies, which show if you had a previous COVID-19 infection. These tests should not be used to diagnose someone who may have a current case of COVID-19.

Depending on the timing of the infection, the test may not find antibodies in someone with a current or recent COVID-19 case. It can take 1 to 3 weeks after infection to make antibodies. It is unclear whether having antibodies to the virus can protect someone from getting infected with the COVID-19 again, or how long that protection might last.

What Happens During Antibody Testing?

Antibody testing requires a blood draw. The patient has a small sample of blood collected in a syringe.
Results are usually available in less than 24 hours.
Tests are right for those who experienced symptoms 10 days ago or longer. This is because it takes 10 days for antibodies to develop a dominant antibody reaction in the blood.
These test samples can be collected at any Wellstar Health Park, primary care or physician's office, or urgent care location. Contact an office to make an appointment.

What types of COVID-19 testing does Wellstar offer?

Wellstar Health System offers COVID-19 diagnostic testing — including PCR and rapid antigen — as well as antibody testing.

PCR and rapid antigen diagnostic tests detect the current presence of the virus, while antibody tests determine whether you have been previously infected by the COVID-19 virus.

Should I be tested for COVID-19?

You or a loved one may still be unsure whether or not you should be tested for COVID-19. It is recommended to be tested for the current or past presence of the virus if you:

Have known or possible exposure to someone with COVID-19.
Are experiencing mild, moderate or severe symptoms.
Believe you may have a current COVID-19 infection.
Are required for a special circumstance, such as work, school or travel.
Think you may have had a past COVID-19 infection.

What happens during a COVID-19 test?

Tests for COVID-19 diagnose the current presence of the virus, while an antibody test determines whether you have been previously infected by the COVID-19 virus.

PCR and rapid antigen diagnostic testing are both conducted via a nasopharyngeal swab.
Antibody testing is conducted via a blood draw.

When will I receive my test results?

COVID-19 lab processing is conducted at different locations with varying turnaround times, depending on the testing location, type and circumstance.

PCR tests are typically available within 24 hours. Same-day results are available at the urgent care centers at Wellstar health parks if testing is completed by noon. Results for rapid antigen tests are available at the point-of-care, normally in 15 to 30 minutes.

How much does COVID-19 testing cost?

If you visit a Wellstar facility for testing, you will also have an exam performed by a medical professional, which will incur concurrent charges.

The cost of your medical visit will vary depending on the type of Wellstar facility you visit, the tests and treatment you receive, as well as your insurance coverage.
If you get testing conducted at a DPH site, this information will not be reflected in your EPIC medical records.

After I get my test results, what should I do?

You can get a negative result and be infected and/or test positive an hour later, so a negative test does not mean you are not at risk.

You can have COVID-19, but no symptoms. This puts you at great risk for spreading the virus.
If you suspect that you have been exposed, self-isolate for 14 days to ensure that you do not have COVID-19—even if your test is negative.
If you receive a positive result from an antibody test, it does not mean you are immune or that you cannot be a virus carrier.

When should I seek additional medical attention?

Partner with your Wellstar physician to determine if you need testing or medical attention. Always go to an emergency room if you are experiencing severe symptoms, such as respiratory or cardiac distress.

What is the best way to protect myself from a COVID-19 infection?

The best treatment for COVID-19 is prevention, by adhering to recommended safety measures of wearing a mask, social distancing, and proper hand hygiene.