TWO ISU STUDENTS WHO RECENTLY QUARANTINED DUE TO COVID. STEVE: WITH THE SURGE IN NUMBERS OF COVID-19 CASES COMES A DEMAND FOR COVID TESTIN vlog’S CYNTHIA FODOR JOINS US LIVE WITH SOME OF YOUR OPTIONS IF YOU NEED A TEST. CYNTHIA: PRIMARY HEALTH CARE ON SOUTHEAST 14TH STREET IS BUSIER THAN NORMAL NOW, OFFERING DRIVE UP TESTING WITHOUT APPOINTMENTS AT ITS RESPIRATORY CLINIC. >> THEY HAD ALREADY SEEN 20 PATIENTS B 10:00, AND THERE WERE EIGHT CARS WAITING WHEN I LEFT. CYNTHIA: YOU CAN GET TESTED BUT IT TAKES 2-10 DAYS TO GET YOUR RESULTS. IT DOES NOT REQUIRE APPOINTMENT AND YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A PHC PATIENT TO BE SEEN THERE. CYNTHIA: ACROSS TOWN IN CLIVE, ANYONE CAN MAKE AN APPOINTMENT ONLINE WITH QUICK RESULTS IN ABOUT AN HOUR FOR $100. THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF COVID TESTS, PCR USED BY HOSPITALS AND CLINICS, WHICH TAKES TIME TO PROCESS, AND ANTIGEN TESTS USED IN RAPID TESTING SITES >> WHILE THEY’RE FAST AND CHEAPER, THEY’RE NOT AS SENSITIVE AS PCR >> THEREFORE WE GET FALSE NEGATIVES WITH THE ANTIGEN TEST WE WOULD NOT GET WITH THE PCR. CYNTHIA TEST IOWA OFFERS FREE : TESTING AT SEVERAL SITES AROUND THE STATE. IN DES MOINES RIGHT NOW, 3RD ON NORTHEAST STREET, YOU NEED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT ONLINE, AND MAY HAVE TO WAIT 2-10 DAYS TO KNOW IF YOU’RE POSITIVE. THE BEST ADVICE WHEN DECIDING WHERE TO GET A TEST? >> I WOULD REQUEST CONTACTING YOUR PROVIDER, NOW THAT WE’RE IN FLU SEASON, IT COULD BE SOMETHING OTHER THAN COVID CAUSING YOUR SYMPTOMS. STEVE: INSURANCE COVERS MOST TESTING BUT IF YOU DON’T HAVE , INSURANCE, SOME HY-VEE
Multiple options exist for virus testing in Iowa
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Updated: 5:44 PM CST Nov 16, 2020
The surge in the number of COVID-19 cases in Iowa comes with a demand for testing. If you need a test, you can still get one at a number of places around the metro. Primary Health Care on Southeast 14th Street is busier than normal now, offering drive-up testing without appointments at its respiratory clinic. You can get tested right away but it takes two to 10 days to receive your results.Across town in Clive, at the Health Gauge site, anyone can make an appointment online with quick results in about an hour for $100. There are two kinds of tests. PCR is used by hospitals and clinics, which takes time to process, and antigen tests are used in rapid testing sites.TestIowa offers free testing at several sites around the state. On Northeast 3rd Street in Des Moines, you need to make an appointment online, and may have to wait two to 10 days to know if you're positive. The best advice when deciding where to get a test? “I would request contacting your provider. Now that we're in flu season, it could be something other than COVID causing your symptoms," said Teri Reiff, with MercyOne.Insurance covers most coronavirus testing, but if you don't have insurance, some Hy-Vee stores and other pharmacies offer free testing if you qualify.
DES MOINES, Iowa — The surge in the number of COVID-19 cases in Iowa comes with a demand for testing. If you need a test, you can still get one at a number of places around the metro.
Primary Health Care on Southeast 14th Street is busier than normal now, offering drive-up testing without appointments at its respiratory clinic. You can get tested right away but it takes two to 10 days to receive your results.
Across town in Clive, at the Health Gauge site, anyone can make an appointment online with quick results in about an hour for $100. There are two kinds of tests. PCR is used by hospitals and clinics, which takes time to process, and antigen tests are used in rapid testing sites.
offers free testing at several sites around the state. On Northeast 3rd Street in Des Moines, you need to make an appointment online, and may have to wait two to 10 days to know if you're positive.
The best advice when deciding where to get a test?
“I would request contacting your provider. Now that we're in flu season, it could be something other than COVID causing your symptoms," said Teri Reiff, with MercyOne.
Insurance covers most coronavirus testing, but if you don't have insurance, some Hy-Vee stores and other pharmacies offer free testing if you qualify.
