Here's where to find COVID-19 rapid, at-home or other tests in time for New Year's Eve

If you're wanting a rapid COVID-19 test this weekend in Sioux Falls, you might be running out of time.

COVID-19 cases are on the upswing across the nation, now that the Omicron variant has been detected and the U.S. ends its second year of the pandemic. As of Wednesday, South Dakota had reported that active infections hit 7,781, the highest number in more than three months.

If you’re planning to get tested before the New Year’s holiday or a return to work and school, spots and stores are emptying for places to book and find a rapid COVID-19 test.

More: South Dakota reports 1,265 new COVID-19 cases

COVID-19 antigen rapid tests on sale at a drugstore in Berlin's Kreuzberg district on July 10, 2021 amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. (David Gannon/AFP/Getty Images/TNS)
COVID-19 antigen rapid tests on sale at a drugstore in Berlin's Kreuzberg district on July 10, 2021 amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. (David Gannon/AFP/Getty Images/TNS)

Employees at all Walmart and many Hy-Vee pharmacies in the area have stated they’ve had cases worth of COVID-19 rapid tests sell out within hours of being placed on shelves.

But we found a few.

What's a rapid test? A rapid test often returns results within 20 minutes, so you can know whether to stay or go. They can be performed by a technician or at home.

Rapid antigen tests vary in accuracy in comparison to full PCR tests, which take longer to return results.

As of Wednesday afternoon, here are a few places to find those tests in Sioux Falls.

Health facilities or testing centers: Free, insurance or out-of-pocket pay

South Dakota Department of Health

Location: https://doh.sd.gov/COVID/Testing/Locations.aspx and type in a zip code.

Test: Saliva or PCR or rapid results locations.

Saliva test here: https://learn.vaulthealth.com/southdakota/

Results: 24-48 hours for saliva test.

Insurance: Free, no insurance, or symptoms, needed, for saliva test.

GS Labs

Test: GSlabstesting.com (online booking only). Appointment only

Location: 3801 W. 34th St. Suite 103

Results: Stay in your car, test and have results often within 20 minutes

Insurance accepted: Yes. Out-of-pocket cost $380. Unavailable now for all PCR.

Sioux Falls Urgent Care

Test: Walk-ins for rapid test

Location: 7600 S. Minnesota Ave.

Results: Within three hours your results will be returned

Insurance accepted: Yes.

Avera Health

Test: PCR tests available. Contact your primary care physician at an Avera clinic near you for COVID-19 testing if you are having symptoms. A physician’s order is required at the COVID-19 drive-thru testing location in Sioux Falls, which offers PCR testing.

Location: Varies

Results: 24-72 hours.

Insurance accepted: Yes.

Sanford Health

Test: PCR and rapid test offered. Call My Sanford Nurse at 605-333-4444 to request a COVID-19 test. Patients who wish to be tested at the COVID-19 drive-thru testing site in Sioux Falls, near the Sanford Sports Complex, should still request a test through their primary care physician or My Sanford Nurse.

Location: Varies or in-person at Sanford Sports Complex.

Results: 24-72 hours for a PCR test and within the day for a rapid test.

Insurance accepted: Yes, check providers list on MySanford.

At-home COVID tests still on shelves:

Hy-Vee Marion Road

1231 E. 57th St.

Lewis Downtown 10th & Phillips

136 S. Phillips Ave.

Lewis Drug 26th & Sycamore

4409 E. 26th St.

Lewis Pharmacy 10th & Cliff

1301 E. 10th St. Suite 100

Lewis 41st & Marion

5500 W. 41st St.

Lewis 37th & Minnesota

2901 S. Minnesota Ave.

Lewis Pharmacy 12th and Kiwanis

2700 W. 12th St.

Lewis Pharmacy Ellis Road

2525 S. Ellis Road

Speedway Gas

2911 W. 41st Street

Walgreens - 41st and Sertoma

7120 W. 41st St

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Where to get COVID-19 rapid tests in Sioux Falls by New Years Eve