Monroe Urgent Care offers PCR COVID testing for international travelers.
As the world is navigating through the ongoing Omicron and BA.2 strains, many countries who are doing well in terms of COVID infections still continue to take a cautious approach in welcoming international travelers into their borders.
Testing requirements vary depending on the country you travel to and from. The Department of State is no longer updating its website regarding COVID testing requirements of international destinations.
Mandatory PCR or antigen testing is still required in a handful of countries, especially if you are not vaccinated against COVID-19. The negative viral COVID test usually must be obtained anywhere between 24 hours to 72 hours of departure. If you need a COVID test for travel, you can get the test at Monroe Urgent Care. We'll take care of matching your name or date of birth to the information on your travel documents as well as printing out the results in official paperwork with the test equipment certification.
As of Jan 1, 2022, only the same-day antigen as well as PCR test is offered.
Rapid antigen test: $55 for each test with certification (same day)
PCR test: $140 for each test with certification (expedited for same day)
We use the Cepheid GenExpert System for PCR COVID testing, which is an internationally recognized and FDA-approved platform. It has been verified to have high accuracy even with Omicron variant.
At Monroe Urgent Care, we perform COVID-19 PCR tests and provide all clients with a letter by the medical director stating the date, time and result of the test, accompanied by the required certification.
Please call 513-461-2273 to schedule a test today! Walk-in welcome.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
DOES THE CEPHEID PCR TEST DETECT THE OMICRON VARIANT?
FDA has stated that the Cepheid PCR test is still accurate in detecting this variant.
IS IT MANDATORY TO GET TESTED BEFORE TRAVELING?
For most countries, it is advisable to obtain a PCR certificate prior to traveling.
Some may just require a COVID-19 rapid test.
WHAT IS PCR/NAAT?
PCR is a diagnostic test that detects SARS-CoV-2 activity, using a method called reverse-transcriptase (RT) polymerase chain reaction.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing uses a nasal or oral swab to identify the virus itself, suggesting an active infection or a very recent infection. If you have signs of active infection, such as cough and fever, the COVID-19 PCR test can be used to identify the virus. It is the gold standard of all COVID testing.
On the other hand, Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) are molecular tests that determine the genetic material of the virus in a sample that usually comes from a patient’s respiratory system, including nasopharynx and secretions such as sputum or saliva. When the specimen is collected, it is tested specfically for the genetic material of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is ribonucleic acid (RNA). Once purified, the snippets of COVID RNA material are amplified to determine with high accuracy whether the virus is present in the patient sample.
WHAT IS A PCR SWAB TEST AND WHO IS IT FOR?
The PCR test for COVID-19 is the most effective and reliable test for COVID-19 diagnosis. Positive testing means that you are likely to have COVID-19. A negative result means that you probably did not have COVID-19 at the time of the test. Get screened if you have signs of COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
WHERE TO GET A PCR COVID TEST FOR TRAVEL?
At Monroe Urgent Care, we've been offering PCR and NAAT COVID testing since the pandemic began. Our facility is sterilized, and we are taking all the requisite measures to keep our patients safe by installing a UV filter in our testing room to sterilize all aerosolized particles.