COVID Testing in New Port Richey

Suncoast Urgent Care Centers is performing both tests for coronavirus.
The Basics:

1. PCR RNA SARS-CoV-2 nasopharyngeal swab
   
   Patients who have been exposed to another individual or have symptoms suggesting they may have COVID19 should be looking to have a PCR RNA SARS-CoV-2 test. This is performed by obtaining bodily secretions from the nasal passage. PCR is the most sophisticated test to look for the presence of portions of the virus present in secretions.
   
   
2. Antibody testing, also called serologic testing.
   
   Patients who believe they have had COVID19 can have their blood tested (serologic testing) for the presence of antibodies. When a patient is infected with a virus that person develops antibodies in response to the virus and these antibodies help clear the infection. It is important to recognize that antibodies to infections, including COVID19 typically take 10-14 days to develop. Therefore this test is not useful to detect an active infection and should be considered by someone who believes they had the infection in the past or have had symptoms for over 10 days.

Suncoast Urgent Care is performing both tests, the PCR RNA SARS-CoV-2 antigen test using the nasopharyngeal swab. Our results are usually back in 48 hours, although testing over the weekend usually translates into an extra 1-2 day delay in getting our results. We are perform the COVID19 antibody test. This involves drawing one vial of blood and sending it to the laboratory. The test results for antibodies usually takes 1-2 days to get results.

We call all patients tested for COVID19 antibodies and the PCR RNA SARS-CoV-2 antigen test as soon as we get results whether the test is positive or negative.

If you would like to have either test please call to inquire about having the test. We have had tremendous demand and we are doing our best to test everyone who would like to get evaluated. Given the increased demand we are suggesting you download our registration paperwork , which you can do by clicking this link. This will reduce your wait time. We are asking people with symptoms or exposures to wait in their cars until we are ready to test them. Having your paperwork complete will shorten the wait.