Where can you find a rapid COVID test? We took one hour to find one.
STAUNTON — Here's the scenario. You and your friend hung out the other night. She tested positive for COVID-19 the next day. Now, you're quarantining and you're on the search for a rapid COVID test. The problem is — they're sold out nearly everywhere.
Say you need a negative test to go back into work. Where are you going to get one? You can get tested at the pharmacy or urgent care, but those aren't rapid result tests, unless they specifically say that. Sometimes they may take 24 hours to get results, other times it can be several days.
Also, Augusta Health Urgent Cares will only test those who have COVID symptoms. COVID levels in the area have reached an "unprecedented high" at Augusta Health. The Virginia Department of Health is also saying don't go to the emergency department if you have a mild case of what could be COVID.
There's been an influx of patients heading to the emergency department for asymptomatic or relatively mild COVID-19 infections, along with cases of the flu or other seasonal illness. VDH said the emergency department isn't the place for those with mild-to-moderate COVID symptoms to seek care.
So, instead, I decided to take an hour to track down a location selling the tests, like BinaxNow at-home rapid COVID tests. These are testing kits you have to pay for — around $10 a test, or $20 for a two test pack.
Start time 10 a.m. Jan. 4. End time 11 a.m. Jan. 4.
I called the following pharmacies and here's what they said:
CVS — 1310 Churchville Ave. in Staunton — 540-885-0386 — Yes. They have a very limited supply. (By the time I finished this experiment, they were out, according to a colleague who went searching for one.)
The problem I had with calling this place was there was about four menu options I had to get past in order to talk to a person. In one of the menus, it suggested I go online to look to see if the rapid tests were available in store by selecting the online shopping option. When I talked to the employee at the store, he said a shipment of tests came in late Monday and they were going fast. He also didn't know when other tests would be back in stock.
Kroger — 850 Statler Boulevard in Staunton — 540-885-9875 — No.
I had to go through two menu options and several misheard requests (I kept saying COVID tests and it kept bringing me to the produce department). Instead I requested to talk to the pharmacist and was sent right through, informing me they don't have any rapid tests.
Walgreens — 501 Coalter St. in Staunton — 540-886-2775 — No.
The automated recording asked me to go to Walgreens.com to see if there were tests in stock or visit the store in-person due to the high volume of requests. I went through about four prompts in order to talk to a live person. I actually ended up hanging up and starting over, directly asking to speak with someone. I was put on hold for about five minutes.
CVS — 1302 Barterbrook Road in Staunton — 540-886-2361 — No.
This time, I took the smarter approach. Didn't press any numbers that had to do with COVID, instead I opted to talk to someone live.
Walmart — 1028 Richmond Ave. in Staunton — 540-886-4208 — Yes. For now. (by the time this published, they were out. A colleague got the last test.)
I went through three menu prompts in order to be transferred to a pharmacy worker. The person who answered the phone said, "I do right now, but I can't promise I'll have them when you come." This was probably the fastest response I received.
Martins — 1015 Richmond Ave. in Staunton — 540-885-7491 — No.
I only went through one menu prompt before being transferred to the pharmacy.
Fishersville Family Pharmacy — 16 Gosnell Crossing in Fishersville — 540-324-8042 — No.
I was given one menu option to talk to the pharmacy. This was a super quick call.
Walmart Neighborhood Market Pharmacy — 1211 W. Broad St. in Waynesboro — 540-943-4637 — Yes.
I went through one menu option to be transferred to the pharmacy. I was told to call customer service. So I called 540-943-4087 (customer service number I looked up myself, I wasn't transferred from my previous call).
Walmart — 116 Lucy Lane in Waynesboro — 540-932-2511 — Unsure. I had to hang up and move on.
I called and was put on hold. I was on hold for about five minutes and was then transferred to customer service, where they are kept. Then customer service said they would transfer me over back to the pharmacy where I was then kicked off the phone call.
On Monday, Jan. 3 I did find BinaxNow at-home testing kits at the Walmart in Waynesboro on Lucy Lane. The test kit was sold with two tests in them, and they were only selling one box per customer.
CVS — 2823 W. Main St. in Waynesboro — 540-949-8871 — Unsure. I hit the 11 a.m. mark and had to stop.
I went through about four prompts to talk to someone called a "COVID representative." The automated recording told me there was a high volume of calls and no one could assist me. Instead, it prompted me to go to the website or call back. I opted to call back and try a different avenue. I was on hold for about nine minutes and gave up.
Overall, this was kind of a stressful experience. Now, I don't have any COVID symptoms, nor have I been exposed to COVID that I know of. I can only imagine if the scenario I painted were true. Trying to call a bunch of places, going to said place that informed me they had tests but arriving and they don't, I would be extremely upset and frustrated.
This actually happened. One of my colleagues was looking for a test and I told him to try one of the places above. He got there, probably 20 minutes after I made the call, and they were out.
He then went to Walmart in Staunton and got the last test. He said he split the two test box with a teacher that was behind him in line trying to get a tes
The truest quote I got from an employee when asking if they had tests available was, "I do right now, but I can't promise I'll have them when you come." That's exactly what is happening. Your spirits are lifted in the fact that they do have tests, but how fast can you drive there to get them? Probably not fast enough.
Also, if you think you may have COVID or have been exposed to COVID and you're running around to places to find rapid tests, doesn't that totally negate the whole fact that you need to quarantine? What do you do? Send someone else out for you? Who has the time to drive to 10 or more stores to find a test?
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This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: COVID tests: Think you have COVID? Need a test? We tried to find one in an hour.
