The Omicron variant of COVID-19 is rapidly spreading across Texas as well as the whole country. We are certainly seeing a lot here in San Saba County.
The three clinics in town (BaylorScott&White, Hendrick, and Mid-Coast) all have capability to perform testing for COVID, both rapid and the more sensitive PCR test that takes a day or so. The EMS will start limiting their testing to Saturday afternoons from noon to 4:00 p.m. To be tested there on a Saturday afternoon, go to the Commerce Street entrance and ring the bell or knock on the door. Be aware that the crews may be out on a call, so if you don’t get an answer, come back in 30-45 minutes and try again. If demand is great, we may see them expand these weekend hours.
In last week’s paper, you saw the current CDC guidelines for testing, isolation, and quarantine. CDC has amended their protocols to include a recommendation to test before leaving isolation in order to confirm that you are not contagious. It is reasonable to do the rapid test after isolation rather than the PCR test which may remain positive for days or weeks after a person is no longer contagious because it is so sensitive to even remnants of the virus.
Remember that a positive COVID test means that you are infected whether you have symptoms or not. A negative rapid test can be false, therefore, if you have symptoms, you should have the more sensitive PCR test done or simply isolate for at least 5 days and only leave isolation when free of fever and significantly improved symptoms for 24 hours.