Had to check in online, but ended up working out nicely. The 15 minute test isn't as invasive; they go about as deep as you would for a flu test. Pretty sure insurance covered the whole thing. Would really recommend it.

Sounds like an antigen test. My understanding is they are not as sensitive as PCR, meaning a higher chance of a false negative. I think sensitivity of PCR is around 70% last I heard, though I suspect it's getting better and dependent on technique and equipment.

Yeah. False negative rate is high (20%). I read that if it comes back positive it's more reliable than the PCR in that regard, but if it comes back negative there's a 1 in 5 chance that it's a false negative. They recommend waiting 10-14 days (self-isolating) and then getting retested to confirm that you're definitely negative. For a 20ish minute wait time for results and a fairly noninvasive test, I wouldn't mind getting tested again. Just wanted everyone on the board to know their options!

Yes, there are caveats with the rapid AB test. According to the clinics we use for work place screening biggest one is its accuracy is low if taken within 24 to 48 hours of exposure as body may not have produced sufficient number of anti-bodies for test to provide decisive result. Tests is reportedly 95% accurate if done 5 to 7 days after exposure. Antidotal evidence just based on our work place screening to date is 1 in 30 have returned a false negative with 3 more inconclusive likely due to non-COVID 19 illness being presented. The 3 inconclusive tests have PCR results pending so will be interested to see how that turns out.

Where are you located?

I've been casually checking since Thursday and every time I try to book it's completely full.

Yeah, my son tried to check in at 8:00 this morning and they have nothing available. And he's had symptoms for 3 days.

copying this from a previous post I made:

To help with a little confusion going on here, there are 3 types of tests:

qPCR (tests for viral RNA)
Antigen (tests for viral protein)
Antibody (tests for antibodies produced by your body specific to SARS-CoV-2)


qPCR and antigen tests are directly testing for virus parts. These are both meant to diagnose an active viral infection. And they're both done using nasal swabs and in some cases (not sure if it's approved yet), saliva or oral swabs.

The trade off is that antigen tests are less invasive, much faster, but less sensitive. Specificity between the two is on par, and very high.


The antibody test is done using a blood draw and is meant to confirm a past infection since it takes a week or so post infection for the body to develop antibodies.

San Antonio. Texas MedClinic refreshes open spots every hour on the hour. Website said they had nothing available, but at 7pm it showed they had a spot for the next day. I'd recommend looking for available time slots about 3 minutes before and at the top of the hour. Hope this helps.

AgsMyDude said:

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Where are you located?

I've been casually checking since Thursday and every time I try to book it's completely full.

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Keep trying, I had the same problem but it opened up.

San Antonio here too. I tried the top of the hour but no luck. I'll keep trying

Do a little bit before top of the hour and only fill in the required info (they send you a link later that lets you complete everything).

My son went yesterday at 9:00 and they told him to come back at 5:00. Got it done, they told him "7 to 10" days for results, as they're getting super-backed up.

I just realized, that with this "7-10" day thing, if my son is reported Positive, it will be counted sometimes late next week...when he was exposed last week. Quite a lag, and something for all to keep in mind when they are (probably) still reporting high case numbers next week.