COVID-19

What Is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Identified in 2019 (hence the 19 in the name), it is highly contagious and spreads quickly. Usually, COVID-19 causes respiratory symptoms and can feel like a cold or the flu. Most people have relatively mild symptoms, while others may have much more severe symptoms and can become extremely ill.

How Does COVID-19 Spread?

COVID-19 is spread person-to-person when infected individuals cough, sneeze, sing or even talk, sending virus-containing respiratory droplets airborne. These droplets can then land on or be inhaled by others who are nearby (within 6 feet). These droplets may also contaminate solid surfaces within the room and can get into your body if you touch the surface and then touch your mouth, nose, or eyes.
With this virus, individuals can become infected even when the contagious person is not displaying any symptoms.

Who is At Risk for Severe Illness from COVID-19?

While some people who contract COVID-19 experience mild to moderate symptoms or even no symptoms at all, for others this can be a life-threatening disease. Older people and those with underlying medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, or cancer are more likely to develop serious illness and require immediate medical attention.

What Are the Symptoms of COVID-19?

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Common Symptoms Include:

Fever and/or Chills
Cough
Shortness of Breath
Difficulty Breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or Body Aches

Headache
Loss of Taste and/or Smell
Sore Throat
Congestion or Runny Nose
Nausea and/or Vomiting
Diarrhea

What Should I Do if I Have Symptoms of COVID-19?

See your doctor as soon as possible. If you are diagnosed with COVID-19, you may be eligible for an oral medication that must be started within 5 days of onset of symptoms to decrease your chances of being hospitalized or dying from the disease.

Also, it will be important to stay home and away from other and to keep an eye out for serious symptoms such as having trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, confusion, difficulty waking up, or bluish lips. If any of these symptoms occur, call 911 or go to the closest Emergency Room.

How are COVID-19 infections prevented?

Basic health and hygiene measures, such as handwashing, are most important to reducing your risk.

The (CDC) recommends several other actions to minimize your risk.

Stay current with COVID-19 Vaccinations.
Please Note: Patient First does not offer COVID-19 vaccinations.
To find a location that administers COVID-19 vaccines near you, visit vaccines.gov.
Improve ventilation in indoor areas (opening windows, using improved air filters).
Move indoor activities outdoors.

Avoid contact with people who have suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19.
Increase space and distance between yourself and others in public places.
Wear a mask or respirator (for example, N95) when in areas that are potentially at medium or high risk for transmission.

COVID-19 Evaluation and Virus Testing at Patient First

No appointment is necessary, just walk in to any Patient First center. Find a location near you.

All patients will be evaluated by a provider. Initial tests may be ordered per standing orders based on symptoms and history, and additional tests may be ordered by the provider after additional evaluation of the patient and review of initial test results.

COVID-19 FAQs

Getting Evaluated and Tested

What types of COVID-19 virus tests does patient first offer?

Rapid Antigen Test: For patients with one or more COVID-19 symptoms with onset within the last 5 days.
PCR Molecular Test: For patients with COVID-19 symptoms with onset more than 5 days ago, for patients without symptoms, and as a back-up to a negative COVID-19 rapid antigen test because this test is more sensitive than the Rapid Antigen Test.
- If a PCR Molecular Test is ordered, your test specimen will be sent to an outside reference laboratory approved by your insurer for testing (Labcorp or Quest). Specimens for self-pay patients will be sent to Labcorp.

Why are rapid antigen tests only available to patients who have COVID-19 symptoms with onset within the last 5 days?

The rapid test is highly accurate for patients who have COVID-19 symptoms with onset within the last 5 days. However, it is less accurate for patients whose symptoms began more than 5 days ago.
The PCR COVID-19 test is available for patients whose symptoms began more than 5 days ago. This test is highly accurate both for patients with recent onset of symptoms, and for those without recent onset of symptoms.

Does Patient First provide COVID-19 testing for travel purposes?

What is the cost of a COVID-19 test?

If you have insurance, Patient First will submit our charges for your visit and testing performed at Patient First to your insurance plan. If a PCR test was sent to an outside lab, that lab will bill your insurance plan directly for the test. Your insurance plan will determine whether you are responsible for any portion of the visit charge or the laboratory test charges. Patient First accepts most major insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid.
- If your insurance plan determines that you are responsible for any portion of the charges related to COVID-19 viral testing or related services, you will receive a statement from Patient First, from the outside lab, or from both. Patient First is required to follow the insurance plan’s determination of your payment responsibility.
If you do not have insurance, you will be responsible for the following charges for COVID-19 evaluation and testing. If additional services are provided, additional charges may apply; please visit the Self-Pay Program section of our website for more information

Patients with one or more COVID-19 symptoms, with onset within the last 5 days:

$145 for office visit and evaluation;
$45 for a COVID-19 rapid antigen test; and
If the rapid test is negative, approximately $100 for a confirmatory PCR test collected at Patient First and sent to a reference lab. This amount will be billed separately by the reference lab.

Patients with COVID-19 symptoms with onset more than 5 days ago, and patients without symptoms:

$145 for office visit and evaluation; and
Approximately $100 for a PCR test collected at Patient First and sent to a reference lab. This amount will be billed separately by the reference lab. Asymptomatic patients are not eligible for rapid antigen tests.

Important note: Effective March 23, 2022, the Federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) no longer covers the cost of COVID-19 visits and tests for patients without insurance. Prior to this date, most self-pay patients had no out-of-pocket costs for COVID-19 visits and testing. After this date, self-pay patients are responsible for visit and test charges as described.

Test Results

How and when will I receive my COVID-19 test result?

If you receive a Rapid Antigen Test, you will receive your test result during your visit.

If you have a PCR Molecular Test performed, you will receive your result via a text message or via a phone call from the center nurse approximately 2 or 3 days after your visit. Your choice for how you would like to receive your test result will be decided during registration.

All results will be also available on the Patient First Patient Portal. If you had a PCR test, your result will also be available on the portal of the reference lab to which your specimen was sent (Labcorp or Quest).

How do I view and transmit my test result to an employer, school, or other entity?

Does patient first test for specific strains or variants of COVID-19?

What do I do if my COVID-19 result is positive?

The CDC recommended in March, 2024, that COVID-19 should be treated like any other serious respiratory infection with respect to isolation and returning to usual activities. There is no longer a minimum number of days you need to stay at home after being diagnosed with COVID-19.
If your test result is POSITIVE and you have or had symptoms of COVID-19, you should:
- Stay at home and away from others (including people you live with who are not sick).
- Get extra rest and stay hydrated. Take over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen, to help you feel better..
- Call 911 if you have trouble breathing, persistent chest pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to wake up or stay awake, bluish lips or face, or if you think it is an emergency. Advise the person you speak with that you have been diagnosed with COVID-19.

You can go back to your normal activities when both of the following are true:
- Your symptoms are getting better overall, and
- You have not had a fever for at least 24 hours without using anti-fever medications.
Take added precautions over the first 5 days after returning to normal activities. These include taking additional steps for cleaner air, hygiene, masks, physical distancing, and/or testing when you will be around other people indoors. You may still be contagious during these 5 days.
If you develop a fever or you start to feel worse after you have gone back to normal activities, stay home and away from others again until your symptoms are improving overall and you have not had a fever for at least 24 hours without using fever-reducing medication.
If your test result is POSITIVE and you have had no symptoms of COVID-19, you should:
- Continue your normal activities, but take added precautions over the next 5 days, such as taking additional steps for cleaner air, hygiene, masks, physical distancing, and/or testing when you will be around other people indoors. You may be contagious during these 5 days.
- Watch for symptoms and take care of yourself as in the section above if they develop, including seeking care or calling 911 if you think it is an emergency.
Helpful Links:
- Preventing Spread of Respiratory Viruses When You’re Sick
- (CDC) COVID-19

What do I do if my COVID-19 result is negative?

If your test result is NEGATIVE and you have or had symptoms of COVID-19, your test result may be a false negative and you could still have COVID-19. Unless a doctor gives you a different diagnosis, you should:
- Continue to stay at home, away from others, and take care of yourself as in the section above for those with positive results with symptoms.
- Call 911 if you have trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, bluish lips or face, or if you think it is an emergency.
If you test result IS NEGATIVE and you have had no symptoms of COVID-19:
- You likely were not infected with COVID-19 at the time your specimen was collected, and no restrictions on your activities are recommended.
- It is possible, however, to be symptom-free in the early stages of an infection and have a false negative test result as well, so watch for the development of any COVID-19 symptoms, especially if you were exposed to a known COVID-19-positive person. Get retested if symptoms occur.
Helpful Links:
- Preventing Spread of Respiratory Viruses When You’re Sick
- (CDC) COVID-19

Safety and Other Helpful Information

What precautions is Patient First taking to keep patients and staff safe?

All of our Centers are taking extensive steps, based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), to provide a safe environment for patients who need care, as well as for our staff:

Patients and visitors who are sneezing, coughing, or have other symptoms of COVID-19, or who present for COVID-19 testing following a suspected exposure, are asked to wear a face mask while visiting Patient First.
Other patients are welcome to wear masks consistent with their individual comfort levels. Patient First makes masks available to all patients and visitors.
After registration, patients may wait in their car until a treatment room is available, if they wish to do so.
Surfaces throughout each Center are thoroughly disinfected at regular intervals.
Air filtration and circulation systems in all Centers meet or exceed CDC guidelines for urgent care facilities. Fresh air from outside is continuously cycled into the centers while air from inside is continuously cycled out.
Frequent hand-washing is required.

How can I protect myself from COVID-19?

Stay home and avoid contact with non-household members.

Wear a mask when in public and practice social distancing by staying at least 6 feet away from others.

Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, using the restroom, coughing, or sneezing. Use 60% or higher alcohol-based hand sanitizer if you cannot use soap and water.

If you need to sneeze, do so into a tissue. If one is not readily available, sneeze into your inner elbow. Wash your hands immediately afterwards.

Disinfect frequently-used items and surfaces regularly.

Does Patient First offer the COVID-19 vaccine?

What other resources are available for additional information and updates about COVID-19?

Patient First treats many conditions at our urgent care centers including COVID-19. You can visit any Patient First center from 8am to 8pm, any day of the week – no appointment is needed

Why Patient First?

Patient First provides efficient service that meets your medical needs as well as your schedule. Don’t wait for an appointment—simply walk in to your nearest Patient First center today. Our extended night, weekend, and holiday hours mean you never have to miss work or school. We pride ourselves in a minimum wait at our urgent care centers, which is significantly less than at the hospital emergency room.

COVID-19

What Is COVID-19?

How Does COVID-19 Spread?

Who is At Risk for Severe Illness from COVID-19?

What Are the Symptoms of COVID-19?

What Should I Do if I Have Symptoms of COVID-19?

How are COVID-19 infections prevented?

COVID-19 Evaluation and Virus Testing at Patient First

COVID-19 FAQs

Getting Evaluated and Tested

Test Results

Safety and Other Helpful Information

Why Patient First?

X-Rays
On-Site

Lab Testing
On-Site

Medications
On-Site

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COVID-19

What Is COVID-19?

How Does COVID-19 Spread?

Who is At Risk for Severe Illness from COVID-19?

What Are the Symptoms of COVID-19?

What Should I Do if I Have Symptoms of COVID-19?

How are COVID-19 infections prevented?

COVID-19 Evaluation and Virus Testing at Patient First

COVID-19 FAQs

Getting Evaluated and Tested

Test Results

Safety and Other Helpful Information

Why Patient First?

X-RaysOn-Site

Lab TestingOn-Site

MedicationsOn-Site

X-Rays
On-Site

Lab Testing
On-Site

Medications
On-Site