COVID-19 Testing & Antibody Testing
In an effort to ensure residents in the Bay Area can continue to protect their families & our communities from the spread of COVID-19, BASS Urgent Care is proud to provide COVID-19 Diagnostic testing & COVID-19 Antibody testing at our urgent care facility in Walnut Creek.
COVID-19 Diagnostic and Antibody testing currently require healthcare providers request testing, patients can’t request test directly from the lab. BASS offers two options for the evaluation & testing process.
How It Works
1. Schedule An Appointment: Two Convenient Options to Choose From
Option 1: Schedule a Telehealth video visit with BASS Urgent Care
During the Telehealth video visit you will meet with a BASS clinician who will perform a brief diagnostic evaluation. This initial evaluation is necessary to allow us to evaluate symptoms, discuss testing options, & make an instant referral for your COVID-19 test and/or Antibody test.
Note: Consider Telehealth/ video visit vs. In-clinic visit as more scheduling options are available. In-clinic calendar fills up faster. Telehealth video visit allows patients to get screened sooner then drive to BASS urgent care at a time convenient for sample collection.
Option 2: Schedule an in-clinic visit at BASS Urgent Care
During your clinic visit you will meet with a BASS clinician who will perform a brief diagnostic evaluation. This initial evaluation is necessary to allow us to evaluate symptoms, discuss testing options, & make an instant referral for your COVID-19 diagnostic test and/or antibody test.
2. Specimen Collection
During your Telehealth video visit or in-clinic visit for COVID-19 diagnostic and/or antibody test our providers will make instant referral for specimen collection. You may schedule your specimen collection immediately or for a date in the future. We are open for collection Monday through Friday from 7:15am to 6:30pm.
3. The testing process
To reduce the risk of spread specimen collection will take place in a low-risk environment either via drive-up or walk-in to our facility (antibody testing requires blood draw). For testing which requires patients to enter our facility proper distancing, staggered appointment times, & PPE for providers & patients will be supplied for everyone’s safety. Antibody testing requires a blood sample, the sample will be collected by our lab personal at BASS Laboratory on-site at BASS Urgent Care.
4. Types of testing we offer
1) Diagnostic (PCR) testing for positive/negative determination for an active Covid-19 infection.
BASS urgent care uses less invasive more comfortable collection technique called mid nasal.
Some others use nasopharyngeal technique which tends to be less comfortable and bit more invasive.
2) Antibody testing for evidence of previous exposure to COVID-19 an individual’s immune system has been exposed to Covid-19 and generated antibodies against it.
5. Receiving your results
Diagnostic (PCR Test) - Results will be delivered to you and your provider ~ 72 hours after specimen collection. Urgent Care staff will provide written instructions on how to access results.
PCR resulting time varies, please be patient. We are doing our best to serve everyone as quickly as we can.
Antibody Test- Results are generally delivered to urgent care providers the same day. If results are received after urgent care is closed, results will be available following business day. Urgent Care staff will provide written instructions on how to access results.
COVID-19 Testing FAQ
What is PCR testing?
PCR testing is a nasal swab test that looks for the actual genetic material of the COVID-19 virus. This test should be considered if you are in close contact with others in their place of work, may have been exposed to someone who tested + and/or may have symptoms related to Covid-19. If your PCR test is negative, then there is no evidence of infection at the time of the test. If your PCR test is positive should be considered infected and contagious.
What is antibody testing?
Antibody testing is a serology blood test that identifies the presence of antibodies, which are generated as a result of having a response to Covid-19. The specific test that BASS Laboratory conducts is designed to identify both IgG and IgM antibodies. See footnote 2
The presence of IgG indicates that an infection happened weeks to months in the past and suggests that a person may no longer be infectious. IgG generally indicates the person may have some immunity to the virus, however, we do not know if the antibodies that result from COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) infection will provide someone with immunity from future infection.
The presence of IgM (with or without IgG) suggests the infection happened within the last few weeks. It also suggests that a person could still be infectious to others.
Testing for both antibodies allows for a more comprehensive understanding of whether the individual has been exposed and how recent to the virus causing Covid-19.
What happens if I test positive for antibodies?
If you test positive for antibodies it is possible that you will be less likely to contract Covid-19 in the future. However, there is no evidence currently that a positive antibody protects against future infections. A person with a positive test result must continue social distancing and comply with other state, county, and local public health mandates including wearing face coverings or masks while at work and monitoring themselves for any Covid-19 symptoms they may develop.
What does a negative antibody test mean?
A negative antibody test indicates that you have not been exposed to the virus that causes Covid-19 or may have not developed an adequate immune response and are generally at greater risk of infection. These individuals remain at risk of infection, can also return to work while practicing proper social distancing, wear face coverings or masks while at work, and monitor themselves for any Covid-19 symptoms they may develop.
Footnote 2: BASS Laboratory uses the Clarity COVID-19 IgG/IgM Antibody Test, which complies with FDA guidance for distributing antibody tests for the virus that causes Covid-19. In validation testing done by Clarity, the test displayed 98% sensitivity. Because BASS Laboratory is certified by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) as a high complexity lab, it can perform this test.
Which test is best for me?
Our provider will discuss with you during consultation to select which is test is appropriate or both.
How long do results take to be delivered?
COVID Antibody test 24hrs.
Covid Diagnostic (PCR) test approximately 72 hrs.
Does insurance cover COVID Testing?
Insurance varies but generally they do cover COVID testing.
Do you offer cash pricing?
Yes, for Kaiser Patients, John Muir Health HMO and those without insurance, we offer reduced cash pricing:
Consult $79 + Antibody test $99 = total cost $178
Consult $79 + Diagnostic test $125 = total cost $204
Consult $79 + Antibody test $99 + Diagnostic test $125 = total $303
