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sorry to ask this covid test question again #254903
05/05/2021 02:10 PM
05/05/2021 02:10 PM
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bran Offline OP
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Brain just not what it was so apologies as I know its been gone over to death, but want to make sure. Something just came up with miles for traveling this Sunday to SXM and will be staying on the French side in a villa. Walgreens do the PCR test which they state takes 24-48 hours to get the results. What would be the best day for us to get tested and download the forms for approval within their stated time frame, as I still get confused between the 3 day and 5 day approval times? many thx.

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Re: sorry to ask this covid test question again [Re: bran] #254904
05/05/2021 02:14 PM
05/05/2021 02:14 PM
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Carol_Hill Offline
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Travel TO SXM is NOT days, it is hours. 120 hours for a PCR test, for a US citizen. Staying on the French side, you may need to take another test when you arrive. Talk to the villa owner for info on that.

RETURNING to the US, is it three DAYS, for either type of test.


Carol Hill
Re: sorry to ask this covid test question again [Re: bran] #254906
05/05/2021 02:42 PM
05/05/2021 02:42 PM
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bran Offline OP
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thx.

Re: sorry to ask this covid test question again [Re: bran] #254908
05/05/2021 02:51 PM
05/05/2021 02:51 PM
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Maryland
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Bran I sent you a private off topic message/inquiry,

Re: sorry to ask this covid test question again [Re: bran] #254916
05/05/2021 04:18 PM
05/05/2021 04:18 PM
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Auburn, WA
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We took tests Monday afternoon and got results this morning. Sent in and got approvals already.

Re: sorry to ask this covid test question again [Re: bran] #254917
05/05/2021 04:24 PM
05/05/2021 04:24 PM
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Massachusetts
boucharda Offline
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That's the way it SHOULD work thumbsup

Re: sorry to ask this covid test question again [Re: boucharda] #254929
05/05/2021 06:16 PM
05/05/2021 06:16 PM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
pat Offline
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Originally Posted by boucharda
That's the way it SHOULD work thumbsup


But trust me on this - it doesn’t always go that smoothly as I can personally attest. Just keep trying if you have any issues because in this case in particular, the ends definitely do justify the means. 🙂🙂


Respectfully,

pat



"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat
them."
Re: sorry to ask this covid test question again [Re: bran] #254939
05/06/2021 07:36 AM
05/06/2021 07:36 AM
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CT,USA
DICKG Offline
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Which test are you doing the PCR or the more in depth test rt - PCR TEST I can’t seem to get an answer as to where to get this rt PCR done they don’t call it that . They did a second test on my wife two days ago the swab when way up her nose ,I’m assuming that is what they call the rt PCR is this correct or is it the normal PCR that SXM requires . Confusing to say !

Re: sorry to ask this covid test question again [Re: DICKG] #254950
05/06/2021 09:01 AM
05/06/2021 09:01 AM
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Carol_Hill Offline
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SXM requires the RT-PCR test. As to how this is accomplished, apparently it varies by who does it.


Carol Hill
Re: sorry to ask this covid test question again [Re: bran] #254960
05/06/2021 10:32 AM
05/06/2021 10:32 AM
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Auburn, WA
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We did the rt-PCR test through Walgreens. We made the appointment, drove up to the prescription pick up window, was handed the swab and vial to put it in. You swab both nostrils yourself, put in container, hand it back and drive off. 36-40 hours later we had our PDF results via email. Rather short swab. Then filled out EHAS form with PDF and wife was approved in 10 min and I in 2 hours. Printed everything. Was waiting for Pinter to run out of ink. LOL

Re: sorry to ask this covid test question again [Re: SXMScubaman] #254964
05/06/2021 11:08 AM
05/06/2021 11:08 AM
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Carol_Hill Offline
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Scubaman--I think we are going to do Walgreens also. For here, it looks like there is no upfront cost for it, if you have insurance. Was that your experience? We're still over 30 days out from our trip. How far in advance were you able to schedule your appointment?


Carol Hill
Re: sorry to ask this covid test question again [Re: Carol_Hill] #254965
05/06/2021 11:12 AM
05/06/2021 11:12 AM
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bran Offline OP
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Thx Scuba. That was the complete info I have been looking for that explains it utterly and clearly.

Re: sorry to ask this covid test question again [Re: Carol_Hill] #254972
05/06/2021 12:12 PM
05/06/2021 12:12 PM
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Auburn, WA
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Yes. When we applied for the test online they ask if you have insurance. When we went to get test, instructions said to bring proof of insurance but they never asked for it. There was no cost so far and I doubt there will be any. Three days in advance. For our Monday appt we applied Friday morning and picked our time. You'll get a confirmation via email.

Re: sorry to ask this covid test question again [Re: SXMScubaman] #254976
05/06/2021 01:19 PM
05/06/2021 01:19 PM
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Carol_Hill Offline
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That's kind of odd that they didn't even ask for the insurance. Is Walgreens where you normally have your prescriptions filled, so they already had that information??


Carol Hill
Re: sorry to ask this covid test question again [Re: bran] #254978
05/06/2021 01:38 PM
05/06/2021 01:38 PM
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mslish Offline
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At Walgreens you can enter your drivers license number instead of insurance info for a no-cost test.

Re: sorry to ask this covid test question again [Re: mslish] #254983
05/06/2021 02:13 PM
05/06/2021 02:13 PM
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OK, I assumed it was a no cost test only if you have insurance? Do you mean, if you say you have symptoms? Walgreens already has my insurance info, but not my DL, and I'm not sure I want them to have it..


Carol Hill
Re: sorry to ask this covid test question again [Re: Carol_Hill] #254985
05/06/2021 02:28 PM
05/06/2021 02:28 PM
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Auburn, WA
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On the request for appointment it asks if you have insurance and a place to put it. I don't recall them asking for my drivers license number but you needed to show picture ID at time of test. No, we don't have an insurance card of file with them and they didn't want to see it at time of test. We answered NO to every question about symptoms and contacts with others on the request form.

Re: sorry to ask this covid test question again [Re: SXMScubaman] #254986
05/06/2021 02:34 PM
05/06/2021 02:34 PM
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Carol_Hill Offline
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OK, thanks. Not sure how they can get paid if they don't have your insurance info, but there's obviously something I'm missing! grin


Carol Hill
Re: sorry to ask this covid test question again [Re: bran] #254987
05/06/2021 02:47 PM
05/06/2021 02:47 PM
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mslish Offline
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You either input your insurance info or your DL number when you make the appointment. So, I'm assuming they get paid by the insurance company or the federal government (if no insurance info is provided). I simply didn't feel like going for my insurance card when I made the appointment so I used my DL info, which I had close by.

Re: sorry to ask this covid test question again [Re: mslish] #254990
05/06/2021 03:37 PM
05/06/2021 03:37 PM
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Auburn, WA
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Originally Posted by mslish
You either input your insurance info or your DL number when you make the appointment. So, I'm assuming they get paid by the insurance company or the federal government (if no insurance info is provided). I simply didn't feel like going for my insurance card when I made the appointment so I used my DL info, which I had close by.

Yep. That's what I figure too.

Re: sorry to ask this covid test question again [Re: SXMScubaman] #255002
05/06/2021 05:24 PM
05/06/2021 05:24 PM
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Carol_Hill Offline
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OK, surprised that the feds would pay for any test for Covid, even if no symptoms.


Carol Hill
Re: sorry to ask this covid test question again [Re: Carol_Hill] #255006
05/06/2021 05:38 PM
05/06/2021 05:38 PM
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mslish Offline
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Originally Posted by Carol_Hill
OK, surprised that the feds would pay for any test for Covid, even if no symptoms.


Thanks to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act

Re: sorry to ask this covid test question again [Re: DICKG] #255016
05/06/2021 10:40 PM
05/06/2021 10:40 PM
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New Jersey, USA
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Originally Posted by DICKG
Which test are you doing the PCR or the more in depth test rt - PCR TEST I can’t seem to get an answer as to where to get this rt PCR done they don’t call it that . They did a second test on my wife two days ago the swab when way up her nose ,I’m assuming that is what they call the rt PCR is this correct or is it the normal PCR that SXM requires . Confusing to say !


Regarding the terms PCR and RT-PCR, here's what I've been able to glean from some on-line research:

  • A "standard" PCR procedure can only detect DNA, not RNA. An RT-PCR test can detect RNA. The RT (reverse transcription) step transcribes the RNA sequence to DNA, which is then amplified and detected in the PCR step.
  • The SARS-CoV-2 virus (the virus that causes COVID-19) contains only RNA, not DNA.
  • Therefore, the only type of PCR test that can detect SARS-CoV-2 is RT-PCR.

I believe that "PCR" is sometimes used as a shorthand for "RT-PCR", and that creates some confusion. For example, this page from the Cleveland Clinic (link) only uses the term PCR, whereas this page from the CDC (link) only mentions RT-PCR.

Dan cheers

Re: sorry to ask this covid test question again [Re: DanS] #255017
05/06/2021 10:44 PM
05/06/2021 10:44 PM
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Auburn, WA
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Great informative explanation.

Re: sorry to ask this covid test question again [Re: SXMScubaman] #255018
05/06/2021 11:27 PM
05/06/2021 11:27 PM
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DICKG Offline
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So I don’t want to sound dumb, what test do they want is it the one that goes up to the eyeball or the one used most everywhere for testing that only goes up about 2 inches ?

Re: sorry to ask this covid test question again [Re: DICKG] #255022
05/07/2021 06:43 AM
05/07/2021 06:43 AM
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Massachusetts
boucharda Offline
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Both can be rt-pcr. We had both a brain tickler and self administered nasal swabs done (same facility, different dates) and both came back rt-pcr

Re: sorry to ask this covid test question again [Re: DICKG] #255027
05/07/2021 07:56 AM
05/07/2021 07:56 AM
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Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
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Originally Posted by DICKG
So I don’t want to sound dumb, what test do they want is it the one that goes up to the eyeball or the one used most everywhere for testing that only goes up about 2 inches ?


They are both rt-PCR; the deeper one is the naso-pharyngeal swab. We had the shallower nasal swab rt-PCR test in November, and it was accepted.

Re: sorry to ask this covid test question again [Re: GaKaye] #255050
05/07/2021 10:11 AM
05/07/2021 10:11 AM
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Auburn, WA
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"We had the shallower nasal swab rt-PCR test in November, and it was accepted"
Us too..

Re: sorry to ask this covid test question again [Re: GaKaye] #255097
05/07/2021 03:44 PM
05/07/2021 03:44 PM
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Portland, OR
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Originally Posted by GaKaye
They are both rt-PCR; the deeper one is the naso-pharyngeal swab. We had the shallower nasal swab rt-PCR test in November, and it was accepted.


OK, dumb question. If the shallower test is not naso-pharyngeal, and the EHAS form specifies naso-pharyngeal, how is it that the shallower test is accepted?


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Re: sorry to ask this covid test question again [Re: jazzgal] #255098
05/07/2021 03:47 PM
05/07/2021 03:47 PM
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Because they don't follow their own guidelines and thank God for that inconsistency.


Be Happy! Simply because you deserve to be. 😁
Re: sorry to ask this covid test question again [Re: jazzgal] #255110
05/07/2021 06:00 PM
05/07/2021 06:00 PM
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Originally Posted by jazzgal
Originally Posted by GaKaye
They are both rt-PCR; the deeper one is the naso-pharyngeal swab. We had the shallower nasal swab rt-PCR test in November, and it was accepted.


OK, dumb question. If the shallower test is not naso-pharyngeal, and the EHAS form specifies naso-pharyngeal, how is it that the shallower test is accepted?


Originally they had the word ONLY (their emphasis, not mine) ahead of naso-pharyngeal, but they've dropped that word. I know that doesn't answer your question, by the way; it's just the only explanation that I have wink

Re: sorry to ask this covid test question again [Re: jazzgal] #255111
05/07/2021 06:11 PM
05/07/2021 06:11 PM
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Auburn, WA
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Jazzgal. All 4 of us had the rt-PCR self nasal swab at Walgreens Monday afternoon for our Saturday morning connecting flight. No problem with getting EHAS approval.

Re: sorry to ask this covid test question again [Re: SXMScubaman] #255118
05/07/2021 07:53 PM
05/07/2021 07:53 PM
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Portland, OR
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For those of you tested at Walgreens, did you find that you are able to schedule only three days prior to your desired test date?


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Re: sorry to ask this covid test question again [Re: jazzgal] #255128
05/08/2021 02:12 AM
05/08/2021 02:12 AM
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Bahston Offline
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Good question.

To test this, although I wasn't ready to travel, I submitted an EHAS form a few months ago with the swab type as AN Swab, which is Anterior Nasal, the 2" nose probe with a few swipes around. It was accepted, and I was not required to take the deep swab, which could possibly double as a Colon Cancer test (Just Kidding, I know how serious Colon Cancer is, I have friends who have died from it, and I get tested regularly.) Likewise, my wife was approved for the same AN Swab test, rather than the deep swab, which could possibly double for a Pap Smear (Again, Just Kidding, we both know how serious that form of cancer is, and she gets tested regularly).

The original requirement was for a deep naso-pharyngeal test. That was in the early days of COVID. That requirement has NOT changed. What I cannot say is whether or not the swab type is being checked, whether or not the approvers are fully informed on test types, if anyone cares anymore, or if I just got lucky.

Re: sorry to ask this covid test question again [Re: jazzgal] #255130
05/08/2021 06:27 AM
05/08/2021 06:27 AM
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Auburn, WA
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Originally Posted by jazzgal
For those of you tested at Walgreens, did you find that you are able to schedule only three days prior to your desired test date?

Yes. Just saw this post from you after landing in Charlotte awaiting flight to sxm.


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