COVID-19 tests are available at all locations.

Appointments required. Learn more.

Locations Services

COVID-19 Help Center

COVID-19 virus tests and antibody tests are available at all WellNow locations with appointments required.

Rapid swab testing is available at our Oswego and Oneonta centers by appointment only.

All patients who require COVID-19 testing and/or care are required to make an appointment prior to their visit.

We continue to closely monitor COVID-19 developments in partnership with our local and state health departments and the Centers for Disease and Prevention Control (CDC), and will bring this testing to all our communities over time.

Check in to a WellNow location near you or start a virtual visit using our WellNow Virtual Medical platform.

You are safe and welcome at WellNow Urgent Care.

Patients who are experiencing any non-life-threatening injury or illness are welcome at our locations. If you require COVID-19 testing and/or care, please make an appointment so our WellNow teams can assess your condition and help determine the necessary next steps.

Rest assured that we are keeping all of our facilities safe and sanitary by following all guidelines from the CDC and local health departments with:

  • Reinforced disinfecting processes across all rooms, tables, chairs, computers, door handles and surfaces with EPA-registered cleaning products.
  • Providing personal protective equipment (PPE) for our staff and requiring all patients to wear masks upon entering a WellNow center. Patients without a mask will be provided with one.
  • Providing personal protective equipment (PPE) for our staff as well as patients in need. All symptomatic patients will be provided with a face mask.
  • Enforcing in-car triage for all patients.
  • Expanded telehealth services and accepted insurances from WellNow Virtual Medical to ensure our providers are available for those who need or prefer to receive care from home.

Resources

Please refer to the resources below for the most up-to-date information.

COVID-19 Testing FAQ

COVID-19 PCR swab tests and antibody tests are available at all our WellNow centers. At this time, rapid swab testing is available at our Oswego and Oneonta centers. Appointments are required for all COVID-19 testing.

Antibody testing uses a blood sample to determine the presence of antibodies in response to a recent or past COVID-19 infection. A positive or negative result from antibody testing alone is not enough to confirm presence or absence of infection, ongoing infection and/or long-term immunity. That said, a positive result does indicate an individual has been exposed to the virus, likely built up some protection, and if re-exposed, is more likely to have milder symptoms.

All COVID-19 testing requires an appointment, which can be scheduled on the location page of your nearest center or by phone. Upon arrival, please respond to your appointment text with “here” and wait in your car until you receive further instruction.

COVID-19 PCR molecular or swab testing directly screens for the virus using a culture obtained from a nasopharyngeal swab. It indicates if a patient currently has the virus.

COVID-19 rapid molecular or swab testing also directly indicates if a patient currently has the virus using a nasal swab. Results are returned to the patient in 15 minutes or less.

Antibody testing uses a blood sample to indirectly screen for COVID-19 by looking for antibodies produced as the body’s response to a COVID-19 infection. A positive or negative result from antibody testing alone is not enough to confirm presence or absence of infection, ongoing infection and/or long-term immunity. There is still much to be learned from this virus, and accordingly, patients should still practice social distancing, frequent hand washing, avoiding touching their face, and following all other local health department guidelines to help reduce the spread of the virus.

WellNow’s COVID-19 PCR swab tests, rapid swab tests and antibody tests are all highly accurate and sensitive to detecting viral particles directly and identifying antibodies, respectively. WellNow’s COVID-19 PCR swab tests, rapid swab tests and antibody tests are both highly accurate and sensitive to detecting viral particles directly and identifying antibodies, respectively:

  • COVID-19 PCR swab test has 95% sensitivity & specificity
  • COVID-19 rapid swab test has a specificity of 98.6% and sensitivity of 94.7 percent
  • Antibody testing is an immunoassay with 95% sensitivity & 96% specificity

For more information regarding COVID-19 tests, please visit the CDC.

Testing is available to anyone who has or recently had symptoms of COVID-19, with no prescription required. A WellNow provider will see you to help determine which test is best for you.

The number of times you can be tested will be determined by a WellNow provider. After an evaluation, this decision will be based on your symptoms and their duration. Certain essential-services personnel may need to be tested more than once.

Testing may be covered based on insurance coverage as part of the CARES Act. Contact your insurance carrier for full details on your coverage. 

For self-pay patients, testing costs $100 for the PCR swab test, $43 for the antibody test and $60 for the rapid swab test, all in addition to the charge for the base visit and any other necessary services.

Results for both the COVID-19 PCR swab test and antibody test will return within 3-5 days. Patients in New York can get their results by registering for an account at www.mybostonheart.com 2-3 days after the sample was taken.

COVID-19 rapid swab tests are taken through a nasal swab and produce results within 15 minutes during your visit. At this time, rapid tests are available at our Oswego and Oneonta locations only.

If after 7 days you are still unable to obtain your results or are experiencing trouble with the portal, please contact the WellNow center where you were tested so we can help provide more information Please note that all positive COVID-19 PCR swab test results will receive a direct phone call from one of our team members. Patients in Chicago will receive all results directly from WellNow.

Coronavirus FAQ

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that produce a wide range of illnesses from the common cold to severe respiratory infections. COVID-19 is the disease caused by a novel coronavirus which was first detected in December 2019 and has since spread to several countries, including the U.S.

  • Wash your hands thoroughly and often.
  • Use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water aren’t available.
  • Don’t touch your face, particularly your eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Stay home from school or work if possible and avoid unnecessary travel or social outings.
  • Practice social distancing by staying at least 6 feet away from other people.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and immediately throw the tissue out.
  • Avoid close contact with anyone who is sick.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces regularly.
  • Seek medical care if you are experiencing symptoms.

Patients seeking COVID-19 testing and care should schedule an appointment at their nearest WellNow for an evaluation and testing if needed. Keep in mind that COVID-19 symptoms are very similar to those caused by other respiratory infections. You may have a cold, flu or pneumonia, all of which we can treat.

Rest assured that we will take any necessary precautions to protect patients and staff from infection. All patients will be required to wear a mask throughout the duration of their visit, and exam rooms will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before another patient enters.

WellNow is increasing the cleaning and sanitization of all facilities in alignment with the CDC to mitigate the transmission of COVID-19 and all other illnesses. Patients seeking COVID-19 testing and/or care are asked to make an appointment prior to their visit and will be evaluated in a clean, sanitized room. In addition, all patients will be required to wear a mask for the duration of their visit. Patients without a mask will be provided with one.

We have also instituted a new triage process which allows patients who have experienced COVID-19 symptoms or suspect they have been exposed to COVID-19 in the last 21 days to be screened while they remain in their vehicles. These patients are brought to an assigned room once ready for provider evaluation, therefore limiting any potential exposure.

Yes, individuals who are experiencing non-life-threatening COVID-19 symptoms are welcome to see one of our virtual providers for an evaluation. If during your virtual consultation we believe you require COVID-19 testing, we will direct you to your nearest WellNow center.

To start a virtual visit, or to find more information on how to use our platform, learn more here. If you are experiencing life-threatening symptoms like shortness of breath, visit your nearest ER immediately.

You are unable to use WellNow Virtual Medical to register for COVID-19 virus or antibody testing. If you are looking to receive testing, please visit your nearest WellNow center to check in using our carside triage process.

Currently, we believe COVID-19 is spread like most respiratory illnesses, which is by droplets produced when coughing or sneezing.

According to the National Institutes of Health, COVID-19 can survive on surfaces for lengths of time ranging from several hours to days, depending on the type of surface.

Shortness of breath can feel like:

  • A tightening sensation in the chest
  • Not being able to get enough air
  • Being out of breath
  • Being suffocated
  • Having difficulty breathing

COVID-19 and influenza are caused by two different viruses. However, symptoms are similar, which is why patients who present symptoms may receive flu testing. We will provide COVID-19 testing if necessary.

All patients seeking COVID-19 care and testing are welcome to schedule an appointment at their nearest WellNow center. COVID-19’s symptoms mirror other common seasonal respiratory infections such as influenza and pneumonia, which are treatable. If needed, WellNow providers at all centers can provide COVID-19 testing by appointment only.

There is no currently no approved treatment for COVID-19. However, a recent study published in International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents (March 2020) based on a small non-randomized clinical trial is highly suggestive of reducing viral load of COVID-19 among patients who were given combination of Hydroxychloroquine & Azithromycin. Our Clinical Team is reviewing medical literature and is in discussions with a consensus panel of experts to make this safe treatment available to our patients as soon as possible.