BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — WellNow Urgent Care is now providing two types of COVID-19 tests at 12 locations in Western New York with no appointment and no doctor's prescription needed.
The company says anyone with COVID-19 symptoms can go to one of the WellNow facilities to request a test. Potential patients will be screened first in their cars. If they meet the screening requirements to be tested, they'll be given a mask and taken to a private room for "further evaluation and testing."
WellNow is providing two types of tests: the nasal swab PCR test and antibody testing. The company calls the tests "highly accurate."
According to WellNow, results from the tests will be available to patients within about 48 hours.
The company will provide testing at the following locations:
- Amherst (Dent Tower)
- Amherst (Harlem Road)
- Batavia
- Cheektowaga
- Clarence
- Dunkirk
- Lancaster
- Niagara Falls
- Orchard Park
- Tonawanda
- West Seneca
- Wheatfield
Some tell 7 Eyewitness news they were able to get a test, others say they were turned away.
"I was very disappointed," said Christine Avino who came to get an antibody test and was turned away.
Avino says the employees inside the Wellnow facility told her they were only testing "essential workers." She was also told the facility on Ridge Road was running out of tests.
It was a similar situation at the Wellnow on Transit Road, where people were being asked for doctor's scripts and to meet a specific criteria.
"I get the impression that they weren't expecting this amount of people coming in today," said Kathy Fuller, who was waiting for an antibody test. Fuller says she was able to get on the testing list because she has exhibited COVID-19 symptoms over the last ten days.
"It's not coinciding with what they're saying."
7 Eyewitness News took all viewers concerns to the representatives at Wellnow. We were provided with the following statement.
"To clarify, our testing is available to anyone and everyone. You don’t have to a healthcare provider, firefighter, or work in any other essential service role to get tested. We apologize for any confusion created and any inconvenience to our patients and communities.
We are seeing unexpected overwhelming demand. The good news is that our supplier agreed to double the amount of molecular/PCR tests we have, and we will continue to working together to increase supply to match demand over time. In the meantime, we are still able to perform antibody testing.
Again, we are proud to bring this to our communities in WNY. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate everyone’s patience as we work to bring more testing to the community."
More information on the tests and locations is available here.
