COVID-19 has shifted the attention of the general public more towards the healthcare field than normal. Before, people would simply go to the doctor or ER when they needed treatment, but now many are wondering if it’s safe. While nothing is 100% safe during the pandemic, urgent care centers are a great option for your healthcare needs!

Are Urgent Care Centers Safe During COVID-19?

Urgent care centers are filled with staff who are trained on sterile procedure and are used to keeping things sanitized, as well as wearing masks and other PPE. Visiting an urgent care is safer than visiting your local grocery store as long as you follow the recommended precautions because chances are, it’s cleaner than the grocery store! Urgent care centers are enforcing the recommended COVID-19 guidelines too. This includes things like mask wearing for everyone in the building, temperature checks, COVID-19 screening questions at the door, and social distancing.

What Services Do They Offer?

Urgent care centers offer a wide variety of services. Some of the most common include:

• Flu vaccines
• Acute illness treatment – the common cold, flu, bronchitis, and other acute illnesses can be managed at an urgent care center.
• COVID-19 testing – both diagnostic and antibody testing is available. Antibody testing can tell you if you’ve been exposed to COVID-19 in the past, rather you had symptoms or not.
• Injury treatment – mild to moderate injuries can be treated at urgent care. Sprains, strains, fractures, burns, and cuts that require stitches are among the most common.
• Chronic condition management – if you’re suffering from a chronic condition such as allergies, asthma, or chronic pain, it can take a while to get an appointment with a specialist. An urgent care physician can offer treatment options to manage your condition until a specialist appointment is available.

Scheduling an Appointment

Because of COVID-19, it’s best to call an urgent care center or look online before arriving to see if they require an appointment. Some patients may even be able to schedule a telemed appointment and get the care they need from the comfort of their own home. If you have an injury that needs immediate treatment, walking into a nearby urgent care center is okay too. Now is a great time to get familiar with the flexibility, affordability, quality care, and convenience that urgent care centers are able to offer!