As businesses across Connecticut begin to reopen, more and more offices, retail locations and job sites will begin a staged reopening to resume usual, day-to-day operations. While most companies will likely have stringent health and safety measures in place to prevent an outbreak of COVID-19 from hitting their business, the easiest way of knowing where things stand prior to employees returning to the workplace is by organizing return-to-work COVID-19 diagnostic and antibody testing. AFC Urgent Care Norwalk is working with businesses of all sizes across Hartford, Norwalk and the surrounding communities to coordinate COVID-19 testing to keep employees and customers safe and healthy.
What kind of COVID-19 tests can be ordered for my business?
There are two types of tests available for employers looking for return-to-work testing. One can detect an active case of the virus in an employee currently infected with COVID-19. The other is able to detect past infection and immune response.
Diagnostic NAAT/PCR Testing
PCR/NAAT testing can diagnose a current case of COVID-19 in a patient. The test is performed by taking a gentle swab of the lower nasal cavity, collecting a specimen for analyzing in our on-site lab. The test is painless and takes only a few moments to perform. In order to qualify for return-to-work testing, patients must be:
- Asymptomatic for at least three days, including no signs of cough, fever or body aches
- At least fourteen days past a previous positive swab test
A negative result indicates that the employee is not currently infected with COVID-19. However, they could have been exposed to the virus in the past months.
Antibody Testing
By taking a blood sample from an employee, our lab technicians will be able to detect if they have formed antibodies against COVID-19. Antibodies are an immune response formed after the body has fought and beat an infection with a virus. Because antibodies take between ten and fourteen days to form after symptoms subside, employees should wait at least two weeks before getting tested for the antibody if they have exhibited symptoms.
Mobile COVID-19 Testing for Businesses in Norwalk, CT
AFC Urgent Care Norwalk is able to provide mobile testing at your business location for employees before your office reopens. Our staff will be able to set up a tent with adequate social distancing measures in place for each member of your team to get tested. Most results from the diagnostic testing will be available in 3 business days, depending on the volume of tests in our lab. Our team will be in PPE for the safety of your employees, including masks, face shield, gloves and gowns and masks will be required for those getting tested. To set up a time for testing or to ask any questions about mobile testing, please call 203-845-9100.
***Please check with your insurance provider as some insurers may require a copayment for testing.
