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PCR test in SXM #264323
09/24/2021 05:52 AM
09/24/2021 05:52 AM
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 190
Hamilton Ont
G
George1234 Offline OP
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George1234  Offline OP
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Hamilton Ont
Any info on PCR tests in SXM (preferably in Maho area)

SXM Sponsors
Re: PCR test in SXM [Re: George1234] #264324
09/24/2021 06:07 AM
09/24/2021 06:07 AM
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 329
Ontario Canada
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Dr Phil SXM Offline
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Hi George, I see you are also from Hamilton ON. In Maho you can get an RT PCR test at the Mullet Bay Medical Clinic. Results in 24 hours. It is a walk in clinic and the current cost is $106 USD. There is a less expensive place in Orange Grove which charges $75 USD. The tests and results are good for return to Canada when you upload to the Arrivecan app with your vaccination info.. Phil

Re: PCR test in SXM [Re: George1234] #264325
09/24/2021 06:16 AM
09/24/2021 06:16 AM
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 329
Ontario Canada
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Dr Phil SXM Offline
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A bit more information.

The swabbing takes place in the morning hours between 8 and 10am and results are back in 24 hrs

Re: PCR test in SXM [Re: George1234] #264326
09/24/2021 07:43 AM
09/24/2021 07:43 AM
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,673
Newtown, CT
kim Offline
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Originally Posted by George1234
Any info on PCR tests in SXM (preferably in Maho area)


I would not go to the Maho clinic. Been there done that. The wait can be forever. Here is a link - it’s in Simpson Bay, above AvantikA. Quick, professional and very efficient.


COVID testing

Re: PCR test in SXM [Re: George1234] #264327
09/24/2021 07:59 AM
09/24/2021 07:59 AM
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 96
New Fairfield, CT
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Tonythepilot Online content
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What about Orient Bay or Hope Estates area?

Re: PCR test in SXM [Re: kim] #264328
09/24/2021 08:11 AM
09/24/2021 08:11 AM
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Posts: 348
crsxm Offline
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Our kids used Medwork in Simpson Bay as well. We were able to make the appointment before we left the US thanks to info on TTOL. It worked out great--they were in and out in no time.

Re: PCR test in SXM [Re: George1234] #264334
09/24/2021 09:05 AM
09/24/2021 09:05 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,469
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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George--Here is a link to testing at various places on the island. Link

Do you need a PCR test for sure, or will an antigen test work? If you're returning to the US, then an antigen test will be fine. They are cheaper and quicker. We have used Medwork in the past and will use them again soon. They give you an EXACT appointment time, and they run absolutely ON time. You can make an appointment online a week or so in advance. You have to pay in advance, but if your plans change, you can cancel and get your money back. If an antigen test will work, you can go get tested at your appointed time, and will be out of there by maybe 10 or 15 minutes total time. Then go eat breakfast or whatever, and by the time you finish breakfast, you can go back and pick up printed copy of your results, OR have them email them to your phone. Very easy, very organized. They do PCR testing also, but I have no idea what the turnaround time is on those tests.


Carol Hill
Re: PCR test in SXM [Re: Carol_Hill] #264335
09/24/2021 09:07 AM
09/24/2021 09:07 AM
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,673
Newtown, CT
kim Offline
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It looks like George is from Canada. It must be a PCR. BUT medwork is still the way to go.

Re: PCR test in SXM [Re: kim] #264336
09/24/2021 09:08 AM
09/24/2021 09:08 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,469
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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OK, didn't see that. Kim--do you have any idea of the turnaround time for PCR at Medwork?


Carol Hill
Re: PCR test in SXM [Re: Carol_Hill] #264337
09/24/2021 09:48 AM
09/24/2021 09:48 AM
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,673
Newtown, CT
kim Offline
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kim  Offline
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Originally Posted by Carol_Hill
OK, didn't see that. Kim--do you have any idea of the turnaround time for PCR at Medwork?


I think the website says 24 hours.

Re: PCR test in SXM [Re: kim] #264342
09/24/2021 10:52 AM
09/24/2021 10:52 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,469
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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ok


Carol Hill
Re: PCR test in SXM [Re: George1234] #264343
09/24/2021 11:11 AM
09/24/2021 11:11 AM
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,929
Connecticut
The_Lurker Offline
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With all the questions and stress getting testing for SXM, it is great to have
Medwork returning home!
They do a great job.

Re: PCR test in SXM [Re: Carol_Hill] #264344
09/24/2021 11:31 AM
09/24/2021 11:31 AM
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 190
Hamilton Ont
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George1234 Offline OP
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George1234  Offline OP
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Hamilton Ont
Wow, I didn't expect this many results in such a short time, thank you everyone! Yes I'm in Canada, and for now at least we need PCR to return. We arrive home on Nov. 4, so there is some time left for change of test, but I'm doubtful.
We stay in Maho, and never rent a car, so I would like somewhere local. I will check out the different options . Again, thank you all.
George

Re: PCR test in SXM [Re: George1234] #264345
09/24/2021 12:32 PM
09/24/2021 12:32 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,469
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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George---options in Maho are not going to be nearly as convenient, as you can't make a definite appointment, etc. In my opinion, it would be worth your while to pay the cost for a taxi to get to Medwork.


Carol Hill
Re: PCR test in SXM [Re: George1234] #264348
09/24/2021 02:25 PM
09/24/2021 02:25 PM
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If you are staying at Sonesta or one of the Royal Islander properties, you can sign up for testing at Sonesta.

Re: PCR test in SXM [Re: Carol_Hill] #264349
09/24/2021 02:47 PM
09/24/2021 02:47 PM
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 190
Hamilton Ont
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George1234 Offline OP
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Thanks Carol. That could be an option. I am quite familiar with Simpsons Bay (our go to if not Sonesta). Buses along Welfare Road from Sonesta are frequent and cheap.
George

Last edited by George1234; 09/24/2021 02:53 PM.
Re: PCR test in SXM [Re: CaribLee] #264350
09/24/2021 02:48 PM
09/24/2021 02:48 PM
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 190
Hamilton Ont
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George1234 Offline OP
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I am at Sonesta, but I believe they are antigen only.
George

Re: PCR test in SXM [Re: George1234] #264351
09/24/2021 03:10 PM
09/24/2021 03:10 PM
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,625
United States of America
bdeeley Offline
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You can take a 5 minute walk down the street and get your PCR test at the Mullet Bay Medical Clinic.

WALK-IN
No appointment needed.
Please bring passport(s).

RT-PCR by accredited laboratory swabbing at 8-10 am, results in 24 hours.


**Testing is on weekdays.

Easy, Peasy, Lemon Squeezy


Be Happy! Simply because you deserve to be. 😁
Re: PCR test in SXM [Re: George1234] #264355
09/24/2021 03:59 PM
09/24/2021 03:59 PM
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 13
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CC12 Offline
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I will be there on the Dutch side in November and will plan on using Medwork. I am returning on Sunday 11/14/21. What day will I need to get the test done at Medwork? I can't remember what the turnaround is for returning to the US? I'm sure I have read it here somewhere.

Re: PCR test in SXM [Re: CC12] #264357
09/24/2021 04:06 PM
09/24/2021 04:06 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,564
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Offline
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SXMScubaman  Offline
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3 days not hours.

Re: PCR test in SXM [Re: George1234] #264360
09/24/2021 04:51 PM
09/24/2021 04:51 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,469
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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George--OK, you're braver than I am, taking busses, but if that will work for you, I would definitely do that to go to Medwork, over Mullet Bay Clinic. Having a definite appointment when on vacation is priceless to me, to avoid waiting forever and wasting valuable vacation time.


Carol Hill
Re: PCR test in SXM [Re: Carol_Hill] #264362
09/24/2021 05:20 PM
09/24/2021 05:20 PM
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 190
Hamilton Ont
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George1234 Offline OP
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Hamilton Ont
We take them to Simpsons Bay and Philipsburg all the time, never had a problem, even taken them from Maho to Marigot.
George

Re: PCR test in SXM [Re: Tonythepilot] #264366
09/24/2021 08:32 PM
09/24/2021 08:32 PM
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 291
South Carolina
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dvesc Offline
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Originally Posted by Tonythepilot
What about Orient Bay or Hope Estates area?


Does Pharmacie Caraïbes in Hope Estate do testing? I thought I saw that mentioned on a different thread. If so, has anyone used them lately?

Re: PCR test in SXM [Re: George1234] #264369
09/24/2021 10:26 PM
09/24/2021 10:26 PM
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Posts: 1,880
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Bahston Offline
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My understanding is that Antigen testing is available at many French side pharmacies. The Canadian poster needs a PCR test to return home. PCR testing on the French side is limited, and is preferred to be limited to contact tracing or symptomatic patients . Most (all?) PCR tests are sent to Guadeloupe for processing, and have a projected minimum of 36 hours for results.

Re: PCR test in SXM [Re: George1234] #264384
09/25/2021 12:52 PM
09/25/2021 12:52 PM
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 19
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Ron Mac Offline
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Hi George
We used Pharmacy Bellveve im Marigot.
Make appointment a couple of days before you leave.
Easy Only $90 for two
My daughter used them also before she left.

Re: PCR test in SXM [Re: Ron Mac] #264385
09/25/2021 01:01 PM
09/25/2021 01:01 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,469
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Ron--again, the original poster needs a PCR test.


Carol Hill
Re: PCR test in SXM [Re: Carol_Hill] #264521
09/28/2021 08:34 AM
09/28/2021 08:34 AM
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 190
Hamilton Ont
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George1234 Offline OP
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George1234  Offline OP
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Hamilton Ont
Hi Carol. It just occurred to me in a rare cognitive state, that you may have been referring to Covid 19 as a basis for your fear of buses. I hadn't thought of that, and may have to revisit my travel preferences!
George

Last edited by George1234; 09/28/2021 08:35 AM.
Re: PCR test in SXM [Re: George1234] #264530
09/28/2021 10:00 AM
09/28/2021 10:00 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,469
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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George--I didn't take busses in SXM before Covid and I sure as heck wouldn't take one now..


Carol Hill
Re: PCR test in SXM [Re: Carol_Hill] #264541
09/28/2021 12:32 PM
09/28/2021 12:32 PM
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 190
Hamilton Ont
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George1234 Offline OP
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Well, at least that makes me feel a little bit better. lol
George

Re: PCR test in SXM [Re: George1234] #264542
09/28/2021 12:42 PM
09/28/2021 12:42 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,469
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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George -- I try to be pretty careful with Covid stuff.


Carol Hill
Re: PCR test in SXM [Re: George1234] #264546
09/28/2021 01:00 PM
09/28/2021 01:00 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,564
Auburn, WA
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With the resistance of the locals to get Vaccinated and not take the Covid precations seriously I wouldn't get close to a bus on SXM.

Re: PCR test in SXM [Re: SXMScubaman] #264549
09/28/2021 01:28 PM
09/28/2021 01:28 PM
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 190
Hamilton Ont
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George1234 Offline OP
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You and Carol are probably right. It sounds like good advice. A breakthrough case and negative result on that PCR test would cost a lot more than the difference between cab and bus.
George

Re: PCR test in SXM [Re: George1234] #264584
09/29/2021 11:23 AM
09/29/2021 11:23 AM
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 190
Hamilton Ont
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George1234 Offline OP
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OK, now for getting to SXM, I enquired today at my local Pharmacy about antigen tests for entering. The pharmacist asked if rapid antigen tests were permissable . I don't know, anyone know the difference, and what is acceptable?
George

Re: PCR test in SXM [Re: George1234] #264586
09/29/2021 11:39 AM
09/29/2021 11:39 AM
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 243
Ontario, Canada
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CanadianCutie Offline
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Fellow Canadian here. Did you ask your pharmacist the brand of antigen test they perform at the pharmacy here in Canada? I’m trying to get my ducks in a row for our January trip.

Re: PCR test in SXM [Re: CanadianCutie] #264587
09/29/2021 12:24 PM
09/29/2021 12:24 PM
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,625
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bdeeley Offline
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Taken right from the Sint Maarten government website.


"The list of acceptable rapid antigen tests includes the Abbott (CGIA Panbio COVID-19 Ag rapid test), Becton Dickinson (CGIA BD Veritor COVID-19 test), Roche (SD Biosensor F test) and Abbott BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card. The list is constantly being reviewed as government continues to seek the most accurate alternatives to the PCR test which remains St. Maarten’s gold standard testing method."


Be Happy! Simply because you deserve to be. 😁
Re: PCR test in SXM [Re: Ron Mac] #264589
09/29/2021 12:28 PM
09/29/2021 12:28 PM
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PelicanPirate Offline
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The Bellevue pharmacy worked great for our large group.

Re: PCR test in SXM [Re: George1234] #264593
09/29/2021 01:49 PM
09/29/2021 01:49 PM
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Posts: 243
Ontario, Canada
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CanadianCutie Offline
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Thank you bdeeley! The one they do at my local pharmacy is the Abbott Panbio. I would just hate to find out at the last minute that EHAS doesn’t recognize the antigen tests used here in Canada.

Re: PCR test in SXM [Re: bdeeley] #264597
09/29/2021 03:47 PM
09/29/2021 03:47 PM
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,673
Newtown, CT
kim Offline
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Originally Posted by bdeeley
You can take a 5 minute walk down the street and get your PCR test at the Mullet Bay Medical Clinic.

WALK-IN
No appointment needed.
Please bring passport(s).

RT-PCR by accredited laboratory swabbing at 8-10 am, results in 24 hours.


**Testing is on weekdays.

Easy, Peasy, Lemon Squeezy



Not Easy Peasy at all. Has it changed since January? We spent hours there getting tested (before it was mandatory to get tested). We were in the same waiting lines as patients to see the Doctor. We had to get screened first then tested. Paid the clinic 35.00 for the screening then 70 to the lab in the back. Then had to come back and get the results. I really hope it has changed as it is an SLS lab in the back and shouldn’t be so difficult.

Re: PCR test in SXM [Re: kim] #264598
09/29/2021 04:03 PM
09/29/2021 04:03 PM
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,625
United States of America
bdeeley Offline
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I can't speak to your experience and your experience doesn't define everyone else's experience. I know people who have gone there, presented their passport and gotten registered in a few minutes, gone around the back and gotten swabbed and left. They returned the next day to get their results. It's not the cheapest solution on the island but can be pretty convenient for someone staying in Maho that isn't renting a car. Not every solution is perfect for every individual. Sounds pretty Easy, Peasy, Lemon Squeeze to me.


Be Happy! Simply because you deserve to be. 😁
Re: PCR test in SXM [Re: bdeeley] #264599
09/29/2021 04:13 PM
09/29/2021 04:13 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
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Originally Posted by bdeeley
I can't speak to your experience and your experience doesn't define everyone else's experience. I know people who have gone there, presented their passport and gotten registered in a few minutes, gone around the back and gotten swabbed and left. They returned the next day to get their results. It's not the cheapest solution on the island but can be pretty convenient for someone staying in Maho that isn't renting a car. Not every solution is perfect for every individual. Sounds pretty Easy, Peasy, Lemon Squeeze to me.

Do you have personal experience with the clinic? Up to date information since January?


J.D.
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