Author Topic: COVID Testing Due To Travel  (Read 9119 times)

Offline Something Fishy

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COVID Testing Due To Travel
« on: July 08, 2020, 10:28:31 PM »
Many places now reopening require a negative test result within a certain time period. Alaska for example requires (as the simplest of their available options) a negative molecular/PCR test within 72 hours of departure.

Problem is, that rapid tests are typically antigen as opposed to molecular/PCR, and regular tests are currently taking waaaay longer than 72 hours. I spent the better part of the day on the phone with various local (Monsey-area) testing sites and here are my results:

- Some places have no idea what molecular/PCR/antigen is in the first place, and transferred me to a nurse. These all had the same response: rapid is antigen and regular will take at least 5-7 days, possibly longer.
- Two places claimed that they can have results in 2-3 days, but when I showed up at the location they said no way before 5 days.
- Refuah Health Center (NS location) was one of them. Since I was in the room already, I asked to have a look at the rapid test they offered, then we Googled it together. Lo and behold, it was a molecular test, not antigen. Eureka!

I just got my results back, and indeed the report states molecular, which is perfect for where I'm going.

The test is the Abbot ID Now COVID-19. If you have similar needs, call around and see who has this test.


Outside of Monsey:
- Elite Health Care in KJ claims to have a regular test back in 1-3 days, and this was confirmed by my travel companion who went to the location and discussed this with their director. We'll see if this does indeed pan out.
- Same thing with Dr. Rosen's office in Crown Heights - they claim results within 3 days.


In short, if you need a molecular/PCR test in a guaranteed short time window,
- Get a rapid at Refuah Health Center in New Square
- Look for someone doing Abbot ID Now COVID-19 near you
- Never trust time frames given on the phone; even in person you'll get different answers, none of which may be accurate.
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Offline lakewood34

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Re: COVID Testing Due To Travel
« Reply #1 on: July 09, 2020, 01:24:20 AM »
Many places now reopening require a negative test result within a certain time period. Alaska for example requires (as the simplest of their available options) a negative molecular/PCR test within 72 hours of departure.

Problem is, that rapid tests are typically antigen as opposed to molecular/PCR, and regular tests are currently taking waaaay longer than 72 hours. I spent the better part of the day on the phone with various local (Monsey-area) testing sites and here are my results:

- Some places have no idea what molecular/PCR/antigen is in the first place, and transferred me to a nurse. These all had the same response: rapid is antigen and regular will take at least 5-7 days, possibly longer.
- Two places claimed that they can have results in 2-3 days, but when I showed up at the location they said no way before 5 days.
- Refuah Health Center (NS location) was one of them. Since I was in the room already, I asked to have a look at the rapid test they offered, then we Googled it together. Lo and behold, it was a molecular test, not antigen. Eureka!

I just got my results back, and indeed the report states molecular, which is perfect for where I'm going.

The test is the Abbot ID Now COVID-19. If you have similar needs, call around and see who has this test.


Outside of Monsey:
- Elite Health Care in KJ claims to have a regular test back in 1-3 days, and this was confirmed by my travel companion who went to the location and discussed this with their director. We'll see if this does indeed pan out.
- Same thing with Dr. Rosen's office in Crown Heights - they claim results within 3 days.


In short, if you need a molecular/PCR test in a guaranteed short time window,
- Get a rapid at Refuah Health Center in New Square
- Look for someone doing Abbot ID Now COVID-19 near you
- Never trust time frames given on the phone; even in person you'll get different answers, none of which may be accurate.


the issue is that cases in the country are exploding so the time frame of last week may not hold for this week
would this work for hawaii the initial reports seem to say that you need a test by a clia approved lab
anybody have any idea if these tests are available in lakewood

Offline Zalc

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Re: COVID Testing Due To Travel
« Reply #2 on: July 09, 2020, 09:22:02 AM »

the issue is that cases in the country are exploding so the time frame of last week may not hold for this week
would this work for hawaii the initial reports seem to say that you need a test by a clia approved lab
anybody have any idea if these tests are available in lakewood
Per the Abbott ID NOW fact sheet:

"The ID NOW COVID-19 is authorized for use in laboratories certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA), 42 U.S.C. §263a, to perform high and moderate complexity tests."

That might not mean the same as what Hawaii requires though.

Offline Something Fishy

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Re: COVID Testing Due To Travel
« Reply #3 on: July 09, 2020, 10:51:30 AM »
Per the Abbott ID NOW fact sheet:

"The ID NOW COVID-19 is authorized for use in laboratories certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA), 42 U.S.C. §263a, to perform high and moderate complexity tests."

That might not mean the same as what Hawaii requires though.

Dunno know about Hawaii, but Alaska and PR require "molecular", and this is molecular, so in theory I'm golden.
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Offline ar

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Re: COVID Testing Due To Travel
« Reply #4 on: July 09, 2020, 12:14:25 PM »
Ezra Medical Center in Brooklyn does the 15 minute Abott rapid tests

Online Traveler718

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Re: COVID Testing Due To Travel
« Reply #5 on: July 09, 2020, 12:36:12 PM »
Ezra Medical Center in Brooklyn does the 15 minute Abott rapid tests

What % accurate are they? And are they covered by insurance?

Offline mgarfin

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Re: COVID Testing Due To Travel
« Reply #6 on: July 09, 2020, 10:41:40 PM »
What % accurate are they? And are they covered by insurance?

I think they are free and don't even require insurance

Offline Joel

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Re: COVID Testing Due To Travel
« Reply #7 on: July 12, 2020, 10:39:13 PM »
What is the difference between a PCR test and NAAT test?

Offline Something Fishy

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Re: COVID Testing Due To Travel
« Reply #8 on: July 12, 2020, 10:58:07 PM »
Update on Alaska: you could've shown them a potato chip wrapper stating "cholesterol-free" and they would've passed you.
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Offline Zalc

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Re: COVID Testing Due To Travel
« Reply #9 on: July 12, 2020, 11:14:30 PM »
Update on Alaska: you could've shown them a potato chip wrapper stating "cholesterol-free" and they would've passed you.
TR incoming?

Offline cgr

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Re: COVID Testing Due To Travel
« Reply #10 on: July 12, 2020, 11:39:11 PM »
What is the difference between a PCR test and NAAT test?
Wondering the same.
And the realistic possibility of getting one in 72 hours if it's hard to come by.

Offline how

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Re: COVID Testing Due To Travel
« Reply #11 on: July 13, 2020, 12:01:51 AM »
What is the difference between a PCR test and NAAT test?
i believe a PCR is a type of NAAT test

Offline KSMH

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Re: COVID Testing Due To Travel
« Reply #12 on: July 13, 2020, 12:23:35 AM »
Update on Alaska: you could've shown them a potato chip wrapper stating "cholesterol-free" and they would've passed you.
Is it like that always or just so happens to be when you entered?
Always praying for delayed baggage.

Online Traveler718

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Re: COVID Testing Due To Travel
« Reply #13 on: July 13, 2020, 12:41:41 AM »
TR incoming?


Incoming as in on its way and will arrive within the next 5 years? Most definitely!

Offline Abey

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Re: COVID Testing Due To Travel
« Reply #14 on: July 20, 2020, 12:46:03 AM »
Update on Alaska: you could've shown them a potato chip wrapper stating "cholesterol-free" and they would've passed you.
you in AK now ? Traveling in late august.

Offline dshargorodsky

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Re: COVID Testing Due To Travel
« Reply #15 on: August 06, 2020, 12:36:19 AM »
Apologies for reviving an older thread.  Has anyone recently obtained a rapid molecular test in the NYC area? 

The country I hope to visit at the end of the month requires a negative test result within 48 hours of arrival so it seems like Abbott ID Now is my only option but am having trouble finding an option that isn't Ezra (would prefer a backup if they are unable to get me in on the day of travel.)

Offline Something Fishy

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Re: COVID Testing Due To Travel
« Reply #16 on: August 06, 2020, 12:55:27 AM »
Apologies for reviving an older thread.  Has anyone recently obtained a rapid molecular test in the NYC area? 

The country I hope to visit at the end of the month requires a negative test result within 48 hours of arrival so it seems like Abbott ID Now is my only option but am having trouble finding an option that isn't Ezra (would prefer a backup if they are unable to get me in on the day of travel.)

Refuah in Monsey has been the only place that has worked consistently that I know of.
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Offline dshargorodsky

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Re: COVID Testing Due To Travel
« Reply #17 on: August 06, 2020, 03:23:37 AM »
Refuah in Monsey has been the only place that has worked consistently that I know of.

Bit of a drive from Brooklyn but definitely not a deal breaker!  Thanks!

Offline gozalim

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Re: COVID Testing Due To Travel
« Reply #18 on: August 06, 2020, 11:49:00 AM »
Bit of a drive from Brooklyn but definitely not a deal breaker!  Thanks!
if you fly out of Newark Monsey will be less of a detour

Offline dshargorodsky

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Re: COVID Testing Due To Travel
« Reply #19 on: August 06, 2020, 03:22:52 PM »
if you fly out of Newark Monsey will be less of a detour

Evening flight out of JFK so definitely have time to get to Monsey and back.  I don't suppose anyone has experience showing these test results when entering Ukraine in recent days?   ;D