With the Omicron variant sweeping the state and nation, more exposures are being reported, and there is a high demand for testing at clinic locations and at-home tests. Here at Sound Family Medicine, we continue to provide the necessary care and testing to our patients and are grateful for your grace and patience as we attend to each and every one.
To broaden access to testing, recently the government launched the website COVIDtests.gov where most Americans can order a free at-home COVID-19 tests.
According to COVIDtests.gov, every home in the U.S. is eligible to order 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days via USPS.
What kind of COVID test will we receive through COVIDtests.gov?
Per the website, the program will distribute FDA-authorized at-home rapid antigen tests. These at-home tests will give results within 30 minutes, no lab drop-off required.
If one may have been exposed to COVID-19 or may be experiencing symptoms, testing and identifying the cause can help determine next steps and further reduce the spread of the virus through necessary quarantining. Availing of this free COVID at-home tests can help in the event that most testing locations are booked up.
Does Sound Family Medicine still offer COVID-19 testing?
Yes, we still do.
To properly assess and provide care for you, as well as to protect your safety, other patients, and our staff, our testing policy is as follows:
- Please call us at 253-848-5951 first for a screening process.
- Once you have been determined eligible for testing, you will be scheduled an appointment at one of our locations.
- A provider will see you and assess the next best steps of care. If testing had been determined as needed, your provider will order the test and you will be tested on the day of your appointment.
What type of COVID test do you offer?
We have a variety of tests such as rapid antigen test or PCR test. The provider determines which test is needed during your visit.
Due to high demand for testing, your test may also depend on what we have available onsite.
How soon do you release the test result?
Test results will be available anywhere from 2-3 hours to next business day or up to 5 business days depending on the volume of testing we are completing onsite and if your test required to be sent out to an external lab.
We will call you with the results and there is no need to call us and follow up. Alternatively, if you are an established Sound Family Medicine patient and have an existing MyChart account, you will be able to access your test results through your secure patient portal.
We are grateful that you continue to trust us with your care needs. Thank you for your patience as we attend to everyone’s testing needs.
We hope you are staying safe, continue to mask up around others, vaccinate, cover you coughs and sneezes, and wash your hands often.
For more information on testing and vaccination, visit our COVID-19 resource page.
This information was published on January 19, 2022. For the latest updates, please refer to our COVID-19 resource page.
