POOLER, Ga. (WSAV) – St. Joseph’s/Candler Urgent Care is now offering 15-minute rapid COVID-19 tests at locations in southeast Georgia and Bluffton, SC.
Anyone who thinks they’ve been exposed to COVID-19, whether they are symptomatic or not, can take the test.
Caregivers say rapid tests are important because it will give people the means to act immediately. A negative result can help people get back to work or allow them to isolate themselves from family and friends as they recover.
“It’s comforting, I just had it done we are waiting for the results and hopefully it’s a thumbs up,” said CEO, Paul Hinchey.
WSAV News 3 got a closer look at the process. Hinchey took the test Monday morning and luckily produced a negative result.
“We want this to be deployed to the community,” said Hinchey.
Caregivers say positive results are 84 % accurate and negative results are 99 % accurate. St. Joseph’s/Candler are the first major hospitals in the area to offer 15-minute testing at their urgent cares.
“You’ve got to make sure that you can replenish the testing because once this goes out,” said Hinchey, “given the state of where people are right now, they might use it,” he added. “The last thing we want to say is ‘I’m sorry we ran out of test equipment’.”
Other parts of the country started rapid testing months ago. Hinchey says that’s because they were considered hot spots.
“We placed this order months and months ago for this and when we were in a queue,” . “Then after it was deployed to some of the states that had a much higher ratio (of COVID-19 cases), the 15-minute test then became available to Georgia.”
Medical experts are eyeing a spike in cases and Hinchey says with rapid testing at their disposal the hospital is better prepared this time.
“We were clogging up those beds using this PPE, using labor, and exposing caregivers because we couldn’t get the test turnaround,” said Hinchey, “so this couldnt come at a better time.”
WHERE IS IT AVAILABLE?
At St. Joseph’s/Candler Urgent Care locations:
Savannah
- 361 Commercial Drive
- Savannah, GA 31406
- (912) 355-6221
Pooler at the St. Joseph’s/Candler – Pooler Campus
- 101 St. Joseph’s/Candler Drive, Suite 100
- Pooler, GA 31322
- (912) 737-2250
- NOTE: COVID testing is not available at the Canal Street SJ/C Urgent Care location in Pooler.
Rincon
- 5621 Hwy 21 South
- Rincon, GA 31326
- (912) 295-5860
Bluffton
- 3 Progressive Street
- Bluffton, SC 29910
- (843) 548-0533
Hinesville
- 780 East Oglethorpe Highway
- Hinesville, GA 31313
- (912) 385-0801
Statesboro
- 1096 Bermuda Run Road
- Statesboro, GA 30458
- (912) 871-5150
COST:
For self-pay patients, it will cost $160 and includes an exam.
Most insurances will cover the entire cost of the test. Consult your insurance provider for specific details.
Patients with COVID-19 symptoms are immediately isolated and treated according to CDC guidelines. To learn more about COVID-19 safety and testing recommendations, visit sjcurgentcare.com.
