Lincoln-area residents will be able to get COVID-19 results in as little as 15 to 20 minutes at a new testing site operated by Omaha-based Strada Healthcare.
The testing location opens in early December at 4545 S. 86th St. (southeast of South 84th Street and Pioneers Boulevard) and will be able to serve people of all ages, including children. Although Strada Healthcare is a Direct Primary Care (DPC) provider, COVID-19 testing at the site does not require Strada Healthcare membership and no medical referral is needed. However, an appointment is necessary and can be made online at StradaHealthcare.com/testing.
The BD Veritor system antigen (rapid) tests used by Strada are administered as a nasal swab and provide results within 20 minutes. The tests detect proteins from the virus and are very specific for the virus, but are not as sensitive as molecular tests. This means that a positive result is highly accurate, but a negative result does not rule out infection. This test has received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Each rapid test will cost $75, payable online at the time the appointment is made; as a DPC provider, Strada does not accept insurance for COVID-19 and other testing.
Strada Healthcare’s other COVID-19 FDA EUA-compliant testing options include Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests, molecular tests administered as a nasopharyngeal swab that show if a person has an active coronavirus infection; and Boston Heart Diagnostics IgM and IgG antibody testing, which is administered via blood draw and indicates if a person has been infected with SARS CoV-2 in the past. PCR testing costs $200 and results are available in 48 to 72 hours. Antibody testing is $125 and results are available within 24 to 48 hours.
Strada also has COVID-19 testing available in Omaha at its facility at 11810 Nicholas St. in the Miracle Hills area.
For more information visit StradaHealthcare.com.