Rising demand for COVID tests could affect your holiday. Here's where to get yours
Jack PanyardWith more than 109 million people expected to travel for the holiday season after Thanksgiving gathering numbers reached a pandemic high, the new omicron variant spreading across the United States, and a virus surge in the middle of flu season, demand for COVID tests has only been going up.
According to the CDC, more than 61.4% of the U.S. population is vaccinated, but rising concerns over the new variant has pushed Pennsylvania leaders to urge residents to stay home for the holidays.
“After a difficult year like this one, I know that we all want to take comfort in our family and religious traditions during the holidays,” Gov. Tom Wolf said in recent a news release. “But the truth is that COVID-19 is still as dangerous as ever right now, and the best thing we can do to protect our loved ones is to worship and celebrate at home this year.”
According to the state Department of Health, the highest spike in the number of cases in the state came on Dec. 9, with 11,541.
The CDC guidelines stipulate non-vaccinated individuals should get tested one to three days before they travel and test again three to five days after their return. Those who got the jab should get tested if they exhibit any COVID symptoms or have been exposed to an individual with the virus but are not required to test before basic travel.
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Currently, two tests are available: molecular, also known as a polymerase chain reaction or PCR, and antigen, also known as rapid tests. PCR tests usually take around two to five days to process and deliver a result, while rapid tests can be determined in up to 30 minutes.
The PCR is the more accurate test and the rapid tests only indicate a “probable” result, according to Maggi Barton, deputy press secretary of the state Department of Health.
If the test taker does not have any symptoms and believes they have a false positive, the CDC recommends confirmatory lab-based testing no longer than 48 hours after an initial positive from a rapid test.
Barton said that the state is expecting a surge in demand for COVID tests but is not expecting any shortages. Wolf recently asked the federal government to make 1 million at-home rapid tests available, particularly for residents in rural parts of the state.
The Biden administration began preparing for the winter season in October, investing another $1 billion in at-home coronavirus tests, quadrupling the nation’s supply since then. Biden also has cracked down on travel, pushed for Americans to get booster shots and is requiring private health insurance companies to cover the costs of tests.
According to Barton, while the at-home tests could help relieve some of the crowds at testing centers, there are many variables that could be an issue.
“There is the potential that at home tests could be conducted inaccurately and compromise the test result,” Barton wrote in an email. “However, if a person is symptomatic and they have a positive at-home COVID-19 test result, they should isolate and their close contact should quarantine without the need for a confirmatory provider-based test.”
At-home COVID tests are available for purchase at most major retailers, such as CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Target, Rite Aid, Sam’s Club and Amazon.
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Barton also advised those who plan to get tested to think ahead, booking an appointment in advance or making sure to have an at-home test on hand.
“Many sites provide walk-in testing that doesn’t require an appointment,” Barton said. “However, increased demand for testing over the holidays may make waiting times longer and decrease the availability of appointments.”
Currently, the state Department of Health is offering free testing in Berks, Blair, Centre, Clinton, Jefferson, Luzerne and McKean counties in a partnership with AMI Expeditionary Healthcare.
“We encourage anyone who feels they need or want a test, especially if they think they have been exposed to COVID-19 or are experiencing symptoms, to take advantage of the free COVID-19 testing closest to them,” Acting Secretary of Health Keara Klinepeter said in a news release. “This includes fully vaccinated individuals who are experiencing symptoms.”
Testing is running through the Christmas holiday, where the clinics will be performing PCR tests. No appointment is needed. You can find your testing site here.
Where to get tested in York County
According to the state Department of Health, the clinics below are available for general public testing. Call ahead to ensure availability.
- CVS: 560 Old York Road, New Cumberland
- Rite Aid: 65 Newberry Parkway, Etters
- Rite Aid: 818 N. US Route 15, Dillsburg
- Rite Aid: 4135 N. George St. Ext., Manchester
- Topco: 1800 Roosevelt Avenue, York
- UPMC Pinnacle Memorial: 1701 Innovation Drive, York
- Walgreens: 3180 Carlisle Road, Dover
- York MedExpress Urgent Care: 400 Loucks Road, York
- Rite Aid: 3300 E. Market St., York
- UPMC Pinnacle York: 325 S. Belmont St., York
- CVS: 820 Edgewood Road, York
- Walgreens: 2101 S. Queen St., York
- Rite Aid: 115 Leader Heights Road, York
- Rite Aid: 3205 Cape Horn Road, Red Lion
- Rite Aid: 910 W. Broadway, Red Lion
- Topco: 440 N. Main St., Spring Grove
- Rite Aid: 301 Eisenhower Drive, Hanover
- UPMC Pinnacle Hanover: 300 Highland Avenue, Hanover
- CVS: 606 S. Main St., Shrewsbury
Clinics below are listed by the state Department of Health as taking only specific patients. Call ahead if you are a member or client of any of these facilities.
- Family First Health Lewisberry: 308 Market St., Lewisberry
- Family First Health York: 116 S. George St., York
- York VA Community Clinic: 2551 Eastern Boulevard, York
- WellSpan Health: 1001 S. George St., York
- WellSpan Lab Services – Apple Hill: 45 Monument Road, Suite 198, York
- Windsor Health Clinic: 3065 Windsor Road, Red Lion
- Family First Health Hanover: 1230 High St., Hanover
- WellSpan Surgery Center: 1227 Baltimore St., Suite 2012, Hanover
Where to get tested in Adams County
General public testing is available at the following locations:
- WellSpan Health: 147 Gettys St., Gettysburg
- WellSpan Digestive Health: 37 N. 5th St., Gettysburg
- Rite Aid: 231 West St., Gettysburg
- Rite Aid: 5675 York Road, New Oxford
- WellSpan Health: 2900 Carlisle Pike, New Oxford
- Topco: 520 W. King St., Littlestown
Specific patients:
- Family First Health Gettysburg: 1275 York Road, Suite 17, Gettysburg
Where to get tested in Franklin County
General public testing is available at the following locations:
- Keystone Health: 830 Fifth Ave., Chambersburg
- Keystone Rural Health Center: 111 Chambers Hill Drive, Suite 102, Chambersburg
- WellSpan Health: 1000 Norland Ave., Chambersburg
- Keystone Health: 51 S. Main St., Chambersburg
- Rite Aid: 415 E. Queen St., Chambersburg
- WellSpan Health: 112 N. 7th St., Chambersburg
- Walgreens: 949 Lincoln Way East, Chambersburg
- Chamberburg MedExpress: 1048 Lincoln Way East, Chambersburg
- WellSpan Weight Management: 1624 Orchard Drive, Chambersburg
- Rite Aid: 5035 Lincoln Way East, Fayetteville
- CVS: 406 E. Main St., Waynesboro
- WellSpan Health: 12525 North Welty Road, Waynesboro
Specific patients:
- Chambersburg Community Assessment Site: 12 St. Paul Drive, Chambersburg
- WellSpan Lab Services: 50 Eastern Avenue, Greencastle
Where to get tested in Lebanon County
General public testing is available at the following locations:
- CVS: 717 E. Main St., Palmyra
- Rite Aid: 980 E. Main St., Palmyra.
- CVS: 2200 W. Cumberland St., Lebanon
- Rite Aid: 415 S. 9th St., Lebanon
- Family First Health Lebanon: 300 Willow Street, Entrance B, Lebanon
- Rite Aid: 2 Cumberland St., Lebanon
- Lebanon MedExpress: 1010 W. Crestview Drive, Lebanon
- WellSpan Pediatrics (Treating Adults & Peds): 850 Tucks St., Lebanon
- WellSpan Health: 775 Norman Drive, Lebanon
- Lebanon VA Medical Center: 1700 S. Lincoln Ave., Lebanon
- WellSpan Imaging – Myerstown: 237 W. Lincoln Ave., Myerstown
Specific patients:
- WellSpan Lab Services: 1400 South Forge Road, Palmyra
- Good Samaritan Hospital: 252 S. 4th St., Lebanon
- WellSpan Lab Services: 805 Helen Drive, Lebanon