Many of you have probably learned firsthand that with the surge of Delta cases, the demand for testing has also surged and wait times and logistics of testing have become more difficult. The department of health is helping ramp up testing capacity day by day, and I expect that this will improve. There are a lot of reasons you might need to be tested, and different strategies accordingly. PCR tests are still the most likely to pick up tiny amounts of virus, and rapid antigen tests are really excellent at accurately identifying contagious people.
You can book appointments for testing usually within a day or two via the state testing directory: https://cv.nmhealth.org/covid-19-testing/ Right now, it seems that the Curative.com sites have the best capacity and fairly fast turnaround times (about 48 hours), the VAULT.com tests are very high quality and reliable. They are mail-based and give results in 24-48 hours.
Rapid antigen testing has come a long way, and has an impressive ability to pick up symptomatic infections with the delta variant. These are available through the same state website and at many urgent cares, but again, the demand has been very high lately. My favorite of these tests is the Abbott “Binax Now” test. It’s available over the counter at pharmacies and Walgreens. It costs about $25 for two tests. If you are not having symptoms, you should use both tests in the kit about a day and a half apart. If you are having symptoms, then a single test result is reliable. They can be a bit tricky to administer – so please call your provider or the number in the test kit if you have questions about getting it right.
It makes make good sense right now to keep a Binax NOW kit on hand and maybe also a pre-ordered VAULT PCR test (although these do have an expiration date), to be used down the road if needed.
OTHER GOOD COMMON SENSE
It looks as if the large majority of delta spread happens in the “asymptomatic period,” before the original patient is even aware that they have the virus. This means all of our bread and butter, low-tech habits continue to be important. Hand washing, masking and quarantines are here to stay.
Masks are back and they work. For your own masking, this CDC site is useful: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/about-face-coverings.html If you are eating out, I recommend you do so at a restaurant that has an outdoor option.
And here is the new guideline for what vaccinated people should be thinking about when it comes to exposures and quarantine, also from the CDC:
Fully vaccinated people who have come into close contact with someone with COVID-19 should be tested 3-5 days following the date of their exposure and wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days or until they receive a negative test result. They should isolate if they test positive. Fully vaccinated people who live in a household with someone who is immunosuppressed, at increased risk of severe disease, or unvaccinated (including children <12 years of age) could also consider masking at home for 14 days following a known exposure or until they receive a negative test result. Most fully vaccinated people with no COVID-like symptoms do not need to quarantine or be restricted from work following an exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, if they follow the testing and masking recommendation above. Fully vaccinated people should monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days following an exposure.
If you do get sick, please call your provider. Certain health conditions might mean that you could benefit from monoclonal antibody treatment or other measures, even if you have been vaccinated. Also, take heart! We are taking steps to control covid as a community – to safeguard our kids, and to make sure that our precious hospital resources don’t get overwhelmed and will be there for us if we need them. For those of you that are vaccinated, take heart! Even without a booster, if you do catch COVID, you will almost certainly be COMPLETELY FINE.
Continue to take great care of yourselves! Your mental health, physical health and preventive care are important! Keep in mind that I am here to help – please be in touch if you need anything.
Dr. B
Disclaimer: As always, with this and other information on this site, please check with your provider regarding your unique situation.