Here’s where you can get a COVID-19 test after Thanksgiving in Stamford
STAMFORD — Picture this: After a wonderful visit with relatives or friends over Thanksgiving, you feel a slight tickle in the back of your throat.
What do you do? “The infection prevention guidance has not really changed: social distancing, wash your hands, stay home if you're sick, get tested if you're symptomatic,” Dr. Asha Shah, director of infectious disease at Stamford Health, told The Stamford Advocate.
People participating in group activities over Thanksgiving weekend should monitor their health afterwards in case symptoms develop. If gathering with unvaccinated people and worried about exposure, consider a COVID-19 test afterward. If gathering with vaccinated people, only schedule a COVID-19 test if you feel symptoms, she said.
“The people that we need to be most worried about are the vulnerable people, which would be the elderly and the immunocompromised,” she said. “So, if ...we're interacting with unvaccinated individuals without masks — which ... (is) against CDC guidance — the recommendation is to get tested three to five days after a potential exposure.”
Here are the places where you can get a COVID-19 test once you’re done with your turkey dinner:
Stamford High School’s Hillandale parking lot
Though startup Sema4 testing facility will be closed on Thanksgiving day, the company will make tests available from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday and from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. over the weekend.
DOCS Urgent Care at 2001 W. Main St.
Appointments are mandatory. From 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the two following days, DOCS Urgent Care will provide both rapid and PCR tests. CVS Pharmacy
A handful of CVS Pharmacy locations offer rapid and PCR COVID-19 tests. The chain requires appointments, and not every location offers both kinds of tests. CVS Pharmacy does not offer free testing at all its locations. However, the site at 969 High Ridge Road provides testing “at no cost, and insurance, Social Security number and driver’s license/state ID are not needed,” according to the pharmacy’s website. Stamford Health
Stamford Hospital offers testing at several sites; cost depends on where you go. Tests are available by appointment at the Wheeler Hospital Building on both Friday and Saturday. Those interested in booking an appointment can call 203276-3300. Tests are also available through Stamford Health’s Emergency Department and at the Immediate Care Center within the Tully Health Center.
However, those two locations will have the highest copays for patients, and Stamford Health warns that “you will be required to see a doctor and can expect to receive a bill” at either of those locations.
Community Health Centers at 22 Fifth St.
By appointment only, CHC will provide tests Friday for patients with “symptoms consistent with COVID-19”, those with an “exposure to someone with a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19” or no symptoms who need testing for work, school or travel purposes.
People who are not existing patients at a CHC location must book an appointment by calling 860-8634600.
AFC Urgent Care at 3000 Summer St.
Depending on test availability, AFC Urgent Care can provide walk-in appointments for rapid and PCR tests, although the PCR tests are sent to an offside lab for processing. Clients can walk in from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, and from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. over the weekend.