By Jondi Gumz
Looking for a convenient COVID-19 test site?
Look no further — a new test site just opened in the parking lot of Twin Lakes Church in Aptos and will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays through December.
The provider is Senneca Diagnostics of San Francisco.
Dana Welle, her daughter Karsen Welle and Dana Ramsey, the three staff on hand Monday, attend Twin Lakes Church and made the connection for Senneca Diagnostics.
A few important points to know:
Tests are by appointment only. Go to www.sennecadx.com/community, create an user account and then pick a time slot.
If you have insurance, bring your insurance card. If you don’t have insurance, billing will be handled by the CARES Act.
Dana Ramsey, Dana Welle, and Karsen Welle are staff at the SennecaDX.com pop-up test site for COVID-19 in the Twin Lakes Church parking lot in Aptos. • Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz
This test is a RT-PCR, which means reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and results will be posted in the HIPAA-compliant portal in 48-72 hours.
You administer the test your self through your nose. The visit for sample collection takes about 20 minutes.
“It’s much easier,” said Dana Welle, comparing it to the one that reaches up into your sinus. “And it’s less risky for anyone at the test site. And it’s as accurate as a nasal swab.”
The test has emergency use authorization but not formal approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Senneca Dx first got involved in testing at nursing homes, where residents are at risk of COVID-19, in June, then expanded to help businesses make return-to-work plans.