LATEST COVID-19 NEWS:
05/11/21: Mercy Urgent Care has 3 options for COVID 19 screening for travelers:
- The ID NOW COVID-19 test is a rapid, molecular point-of-care test that detects COVID-19, (Same day results)
- BD Veritor Antigen rapid antigen test, nasal swab (Same day results)
- LabCorp’s COVID-19 RT-PCR Test. Results in approximately 48-72 hours. (longer times over weekend)
You will need to check with your Airline or the state or country you are traveling to, to see if these tests are acceptable.
04/29/21: Mercy Care will begin offering monoclonal antibody infusions as treatment for high-risk COVID-19 patients on Monday, May 3. Patients may request or receive a referral for the treatment, to be administered at Mercy Urgent Care West Asheville, from their regular health care providers.
Learn more about monoclonal antibody infusions
04/14/21: Mercy Urgent Care is now offering COVID-19 vaccinations! The Moderna vaccine will be available by appointment at no cost for individuals ages 18 and up at the Mercy Urgent Care South location (1833 Hendersonville Rd.)
Walk-in patients will be accepted as time and doses allow, with openings announced day-of on our website and social media accounts. Find out more here.
Schedule Your COVID-19 Vaccination
02/14/21: Mercy Urgent Care South is once again open to patients for all urgent care needs. COVID-19 testing will take place at all eight locations following a virtual visit— Click to schedule.
Schedule Virtual Visit for COVID testing
01/10/21:A virtual visit is necessary for COVID-19 testing, whether you have symptoms or not. There are costs associated with testing. Please note that some insurance will not cover testing for travel purposes/and or the cost of the appointment. Please click here for pricing information.
12/2/20 Updated quarantine guidelines: For an individual with a close contact/ known exposure to COVID-19 (has been within 6 feet for a cumulative 15 minutes in 24 hours or longer with someone known to have COVID-19) the CDC still recommends a 14-day quarantine “as the best way to reduce the risk of spreading Covid-19.” However, in some cases the quarantine can end after 10 days if the person has not developed any symptoms and can end after just seven days if the asymptomatic person also tests negative for the virus, on a test collected within 48 hours of the final day of quarantine.
NC State recommendations on who should be tested for COVID-19
- Anyone with symptoms suggestive of COVID-19
- Symptomatic and asymptomatic close contacts of known positive cases (the ideal time for asymptomatic close contacts to get tested is 5-7 days after last exposure to the case)
- Symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals in the following populations who think they may have been exposed to COVID-19:
- People who live in or have regular contact with high-risk settings (e.g., long term care facilities, homeless shelter, correctional facility, migrant farmworker camp)
- Historically marginalized populations (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color)
- Frontline and essential workers in settings where social distancing is difficult (e.g., those who work in restaurants, grocery stores, child care facilities, construction sites, processing plants, etc.)
- Healthcare workers or first responders (e.g., EMS, law enforcement, fire department, military)
- People who are at high risk of severe illness (e.g., people over the age of 65 and people of any age with underlying health conditions)
- People who attended protests, rallies, or other mass gatherings where social distancing was difficult to maintain
COVID-19 Testing through Mercy Urgent Care
A telemedicine health consultation is required to assess symptoms and need for testing prior to clinic visit. Schedule a virtual visit. COVID-19 testing must be done within 72 hours of virtual consultation or a new telemedicine provider visit will be required.
To help increase testing in our community and help our business partners with decision making regarding employees, we have the following tests available (Self-pay costs for consultation plus one test is $249; for consultation plus two tests is $299. Pricing information).
- Abbott ID NOW molecular rapid test, nasal swab (Same day results) Abbott ID NOW rapid test fact sheet
- *BD Veritor Antigen rapid antigen test, nasal swab (Same day results) BD Veritor rapid antigen test fact sheet
- LabCorp Molecular PCR send out test, nasal swab (results in 1-3 days) PCR send out test fact sheet
- Antibody blood test (results in 1-3 days) Antibody blood test information sheet
The Abbott ID NOW and BD Veritor rapid tests results are considered a preliminary screening only, and are most accurate when patients have been symptomatic. Confirmatory testing via LabCorp Molecular PCR testing is recommended in most cases to confirm results.
*Mercy Urgent Care follows state and CDC guidelines which requires confirmatory PCR testing if an individual is symptomatic and the antigen test is negative or if an individual is asymptomatic and a rapid antigen test is positive.
For an individual with a close contact/ known exposure to COVID-19 (has been within 6 feet for a cumulative 15 minutes in 24 hours or longer with someone known to have COVID-19) the CDC still recommends a 14-day quarantine “as the best way to reduce the risk of spreading Covid-19.” However, in some cases the quarantine can end after 10 days if the person has not developed any symptoms and can end after just seven days if the asymptomatic person also tests negative for the virus, on a test collected within 48 hours of the final day of quarantine.
State and CDC guidelines for isolation should be followed until results of confirmatory testing can guide return to work, school and activities outside your home.
Depending on location and supplies, rapid testing may be either the Abbott ID NOW or the BD Veritor test.
Due to demand and limited supplies, some centers may not have rapid tests available until another shipment is received.
If you are waiting on results from your COVID-19 testing, click here for information on how to access results through the LabCorp Patient App or 800 number.
Mercy Urgent Care is still seeing patients for other illness, injury and work-related testing or exams. Upon arrival, please remain in your vehicle and call your Mercy Urgent Care location for instructions. (Click here for more information about regular urgent care visits and new, safe patient procedures.)
We appreciate your patience as we work to bring you the best care possible during these trying times.
Additional resources:
- Statewide North Carolina COVID-19 Triage Plus Line: 877-490-6642 (7 a.m.-11 p.m. all week)
- For Buncombe County and Asheville-specific questions about COVID-19 concerns (including the Stay Home, Stay Safe Declaration), call the Ready Team at 828-419-0095 or email ready@buncombecounty.org.
- Buncombe County Health Department Symptom Checker
Prevention Information
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water, and for at least 20 seconds each time.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are ill.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- Do not reuse tissue after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched.
- Practice social distancing (6 feet separation between people)
- Wear a cloth face cover in public places
