COVID-19 Tests In Livermore: Find Home Tests, Appointments

Courtney Teague
·3 min read

LIVERMORE, CA — People in Livermore and beyond are clamoring for COVID-19 tests as the highly contagious omicron and delta variants continued to spread.

California's COVID-19 testing positivity soared to 15 percent after the holidays.

Home tests and in-person appointments are in high demand. Not sure where to turn? A list of places to check online and in-person can be found below.

First, remember that home tests have not received full approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration but are authorized for emergency use. Also, make sure you understand the difference between the two types of COVID-19 tests.

Same-Day Results With Rapid Antigen Tests

Rapid antigen tests are the most common type of home test you might find on the shelves of your local drugstore. Results can come within minutes, and they tend to go for around $10 per test.

They're much more convenient and faster than a test whose results are verified by a lab. But you sacrifice some accuracy in exchange for the convenience. Rapid antigen tests are more likely to detect COVID-19 if there is "a higher amount of virus particles in their system," said Emily Landon, a University of Chicago infectious disease expert, in a Q&A.

"If someone has COVID-19, but hasn’t yet reached the test’s threshold of viral particles, they may still test negative with an antigen test but positive on a PCR test," she said. "That’s why I tell people they should trust a positive antigen test, but be more skeptical about a negative one."

Rapid antigen tests have sold out quickly at stores across the nation, so it's worth a call or visit to the website to see whether they're in stock online or at local pharmacies, including CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens and Walmart.

Here are some stores to check out in Livermore.

  • CVS: 1500 First St., 4405 First St., 4300 Las Positas Road.

  • Rite Aid: 1350 N. Vasco Road, 968 Murrieta Blvd.

  • Walgreens: 1620 First St.

  • Walmart: 2700 Las Positas Road.

Longer Wait, Higher Accuracy With PCR Tests

COVID-19 tests that are analyzed in a lab are known as PCR tests or molecular lab tests. They are considered to be more accurate than rapid antigen tests.

There are many nearby testing sites, but results can take several days because samples must be reviewed in a lab.

A list of all Livermore testing sites can be found online, along with information about hours and how to make an appointment, thanks to the state Department of Public Health.

PCR home tests are also sold online, such as this test from Amazon, but tend to be pricier than rapid antigen home tests and have also sold out quickly. Users must take a sample, mail it in, then wait for results.

Again, you might try to call or visit the website of local stories to see whether they're in stock online or at local pharmacies, including CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens and Walmart.

Here are some stores to check out in Livermore.

  • CVS: 1500 First St., 4405 First St., 4300 Las Positas Road.

  • Rite Aid: 1350 N. Vasco Road, 968 Murrieta Blvd.

  • Walgreens: 1620 First St.

  • Walmart: 2700 Las Positas Road.

This article originally appeared on the Livermore Patch