COVID-19 Testing Frequently Asked Questions
When do I need to arrive for my appointment?
Please arrive at the scheduled time listed on your confirmation email.
Is there parking?
The pharmacy is located on Mission Street, between 20th and 21st.
Convenient parking is available at the Mission Bartlett Garage.
The pharmacy is accessible via BART and MUNI. If you have symptoms, do not enter the pharmacy. Call and let us know when you are outside.
How long will the test take?
The process takes about 10 minutes.
How and when will I receive my results?
Rapid PCR and Antigen results are available the same day. Please be on time for your appointment.
You will receive a text message when your results are available. Please
log into Intend portal to view your results. If you have trouble
logging in, please reset the password with the email you used to create
the account.
Can multiple people be tested at the same time?
Yes, if you are signing up for yourself and want to bring a family member or spouse, simply click the “Add another person to this appointment” button. Each person who is getting tested must have an appointment.
What should I do if I'm experiencing severe symptoms?
If you or a family member are experiencing severe symptoms, please call your doctor. If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, please call 911.
Am I required to show ID?
Please present a picture ID, however, if you don't have an ID with you, we can look you up in our system after you have completed your profile.
Is the test invasive?
No. We insert a nasal swab approximately 2 cm into each nostril, until some resistance is met. You may feel some pressure, but you should not feel any pain. We will collect your nasal sample.
Is the test accurate?
All tests offered are approved by the FDA under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) and are accurate for detecting SARS-COV-2.
RT-PCR tests are very accurate for detecting SARS-Cov-2. However, RT-PCR can detect levels of viral nucleic acid that cannot be cultured, suggesting that the presence of viral nucleic acid does not always indicate contagiousness.
Antigen tests for SARS-CoV-2 detect the presence of a specific SARS CoV-2 antigen, which indicates current infection. Antigen tests are a more affordable tests and often utilized to inform infection prevention and control measures, thus preventing transmission. Antigen tests may have lower sensitivity than NAATs (ie RT-PCR). However NAAT (aka RT-PCR) tests can remain positive for weeks to months after initial infection and detect levels of viral nucleic acid long after virus can no longer be cultured. In this sense, antigen tests are useful for determining if a person is infectious.
If you are unsure of which test to take, please speak to the provider prior to them administering your test.
For more information, see the CDC recommendations:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/testing.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/lab/resources/antigen-tests-guidelines.html
What are the primary symptoms of COVID-19?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
people with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported –
ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14
days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have
COVID-19:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fever
- Chills
- Muscle pain/aches
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
- Runny nose
This list is not all possible symptoms. Other less common symptoms have been reported, including gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
To read more about COVID symptoms:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html