Coronavirus Testing Heats Up as Cold Weather Arrives
by Susannah Wood
Now that cases are steeply on the rise again in much of Connecticut and across the country, more of us will probably be looking for a coronavirus test. Know that insurers in this state are required to cover the cost of these tests. For those without insurance, Walgreens in Torrington and certain CVS locations are offering free drive-up testing to everyone over the age of 12, but be aware that the tests they offer are different.
At Charlotte Hungerford Hospital and at those CVS pharmacies where testing is available (Millerton, Burlington and Canton are closest to Norfolk), it is possible to get the RT-PCR test, the most reliable test now available. These tests involve a nasal swab that can be done two ways, deep into the nasal passages or in the outer nostril. The swab goes to a lab for analysis. According to their websites, results from CVS come back in two to three days, from Charlotte Hungerford in three to four days.
As of now, the Walgreens in Torrington only offers the Abbott ID-NOW Rapid PCR test. Results come back within 24 hours, but these tests are best used when someone is symptomatic. They are less accurate in detecting the coronavirus in asymptomatic people.
Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, now part of Hartford HealthCare, also offers drive-up RT-PCR testing for all ages, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Contact Hartford HealthCare directly to schedule a test (833-621-0600). (Note that it may be easier to get through later in the evening.) You’ll need to set up a patient portal (MyChart) to get the results. While a doctor’s referral is not required, the website says that having one may speed up the process.
https://hartfordhealthcare.org/health-wellness/coronavirus/testing. The testing site at Charlotte Hungerford will be moving from the outpatient parking area to the Stop and Shop Plaza at 211 High Street in Torrington at some point in December, but no firm date has been set. Be sure to check the current location when making an appointment. Walk-up clients are accepted under special circumstances.
Hartford HealthCare is also offering walk-up rapid tests at its urgent care locations in Torrington and Avon. Because of demand, a slot must be reserved through the website. https://www.gohealthuc.com/connecticut#center-locator
Sign up on line with CVS to make a test appointment. Results will be sent by email and/or by text, or you can check back by phone. Walgreens also has an online form to be filled out. You will be able to receive the results by phone or through a patient portal.
https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing
https://www.walgreens.com/findcare/covid19/testing?ban=covid_testing
Whatever the test, even when the result is negative, you should still quarantine the full 14 days after a possible exposure because no test is 100 percent reliable.
For pop-up community testing days and a complete list of all testing sites nearby, go to:
