Temperature checks and screenings for all patients and visitors are among the precautions at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. (photo courtesy of Cedars-Sinai)

With the coronavirus spreading rapidly through Los Angeles County, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center has launched a new option for COVID-19 testing by appointment at its urgent care locations, with results available within 48-72 hours. A doctor’s referral is not needed, and individuals getting tested do not need to be a Cedars-Sinai patient prior to booking a testing appointment.

 “We have expanded our testing options in an effort to support our patients and the community by giving them access to high-quality testing when they need it,” Cedars-Sinai Medical Network Chief Medical Officer Caroline Goldzweig said. “We wanted to expand access especially for frontline workers such as grocery store employees, first responders or any essential worker whose job puts them in close contact with others.”

Cedars-Sinai Urgent Care uses PCR (polymerase chain reaction) COVID-19 tests, with a nasopharyngeal swab to collect a sample from patients.

If an individual thinks they may have been exposed to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, the best time to take the test is four to seven days after exposure. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines an exposure as unmasked contact within six feet of a person known or suspected of having COVID-19 for more than 15 minutes, cumulative over the course of a 24-hour period.

People with COVID-19 are likely infectious beginning approximately two days prior to the onset of symptoms, and this should be taken into account when scheduling a test. For example, if an individual wants to be tested because they live with someone who developed COVID-19, the ideal testing time would be two to five days after the infected person’s symptoms began, or after the date of the positive test. For someone who is worried about a potential exposure, it’s best to wait until at least four days to get tested.

“When you’re asymptomatic, timing is everything,” Goldzweig said.

However, timing is less crucial for essential workers and others who are concerned about exposure in general.

“It’s also critical to remember that a negative test in an asymptomatic person does not guarantee that you do not have COVID-19,” Goldzweig added. “The incubation period can last 14 days and it’s possible you could develop symptoms or even test positive later during this time period.”

Goldzweig also noted that while the PCR testing technology is generally the most reliable for detecting the presence of COVID-19, it is not perfect. Some patients who test negative may still have the illness, but when patients test positive, it is almost always a true positive result.

Testing is available to adults and children ages 2 and older. People under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

All individuals being tested should feel safe visiting Cedars-Sinai’s urgent care locations due to the safety measures the clinics observe to ensure the health and safety of patients and staff. All patients, visitors and staff are screened upon arrival and everyone is required to sanitize their hands and wear a mask.

To schedule a COVID-19 test or for information, visit cedars-sinai.org/programs/urgent-care.html.