Fitzgibbon Hospital has successfully deployed COVID-19 rapid antigen testing stations to Grand River Medical Clinic in Brunswick, Akeman-McBurney Medical Clinic in Slater, Fitzgibbon Family Health in Fayette and Marshall Family Practice in Marshall.

Fitzgibbon officials say availability for this rapid test at each of these rural health clinics means residents can find out if they are positive or negative for the COVID-19 virus within hours rather than days.

This new functionality means access to testing also is closer to their homes, which will mean less exposure to others in the event their test comes back as positive. As rapid testing is more often used in the community-based clinics, the numbers presented to the hospital for COVID-19 testing will be reduced.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still has clear definitions for when a person can be tested after an exposure and how long they should be in quarantine after they have been exposed. Individuals should not receive a COVID-19 test until at least 72 hours after a known exposure to the virus, as markers will not show up in the test until this time has passed. Additionally, receipt of a negative test after a known exposure does not mean that you cannot or will not develop the virus in the 14 days after a known exposure. The virus can take up to 14 days to progress to the symptomatic phase and/or when individuals may test positive.

The rapid antigen test at Fitzgibbon-affiliated clinics is currently provided for no out-of-pocket cost, though that could change if access to the testing kits change. To receive a COVID-19 rapid test, call a Fitzgibbon Hospital-affiliated clinic near you to make an appointment.

In Slater, call the Akeman-McBurney Medical Clinic at (660) 529-2251. In Brunswick, call the Grand River Medical Clinic at (660) 548-3161. In Fayette, call Fitzgibbon Family Health at (660) 248-2900 and in Marshall, call Marshall Family Practice at (660) 886-7800.