COVID Testing Still Matters. Here Is Why.
COVID-19 is no longer front page news. For most people, the worst of it feels like a chapter that closed a while ago. Even so, the virus continues to circulate, and testing remains a practical tool that affects real decisions. Knowing whether you have COVID changes what treatment you can access and how you protect the people around you.
This article covers who should still be testing, what kind of test to use, and what to do with the result.
Symptoms Still Overlap With Everything Else
A sore throat, fatigue, a runny nose, a low fever. These symptoms describe COVID, influenza, RSV, and dozens of other respiratory illnesses that circulate year round. Feeling sick does not tell you what you have. A test does.
That distinction matters because treatments differ. Antiviral medications like Paxlovid work only for confirmed COVID cases. They also work best when you start them early, within the first few days of symptoms. So testing promptly is not just useful. It is often the difference between qualifying for treatment and missing your window.
Who Should Still Be Testing
- Anyone with symptoms that feel like a respiratory illness
- People who had recent close contact with a confirmed case
- Those planning to visit elderly or immunocompromised family members
- Healthcare workers and caregivers in clinical or residential settings
- People returning from travel or large gatherings
- Those on medications that suppress the immune system
At-Home Tests vs. Clinical Tests
Both options are useful. The right choice depends on your situation.
Fast, private, and convenient. Results come back in about 15 minutes. Best for symptomatic testing. A negative result very early in an infection may not be definitive. If symptoms continue and your first test is negative, test again 24 to 48 hours later.
More sensitive than rapid tests. Better at detecting early or mild infection. Results typically take 24 to 48 hours. Useful when a rapid test is negative but symptoms persist, or when you need documentation for work or travel.
Testing Protects More Than Just You
One of the strongest reasons to test is protecting people who cannot protect themselves. Someone who is elderly, pregnant, undergoing chemotherapy, or living with a compromised immune system faces a much greater risk from COVID than a healthy adult does. A confirmed positive result, and the isolation that follows, is a direct act of care for the people in your life.
Even without symptoms, testing before a visit to a vulnerable family member is a low-effort, high-impact decision.
Common Questions
Can I still get tested at Medicos Pharmacy?Yes. We offer COVID testing at our Elmwood Park location. Call ahead at 973-324-1000 to confirm current availability, testing types, and any insurance requirements.
What should I do if I test positive?Contact your doctor or healthcare provider right away to discuss whether antiviral treatment is appropriate for you. Our pharmacists can also answer questions about Paxlovid and other available therapies, including how they interact with medications you already take.
Do at-home tests still detect current variants?FDA-authorized at-home tests have generally continued to detect circulating variants, though sensitivity varies by product and by how recently the test was manufactured. If you have an older stockpile at home, check the FDA website for updated guidance on those specific tests before relying on them.