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PCR Molecular test. The ID NOW Covid 19 test.

I have just located an Urgent Care Center that does a PCR Molecular test (ID NOW) with results in 15 minutes. Which should satisfy the Dutch requirements of a test (antigen or PCR) not more than 24 hours before boarding and a PCR test not more than 72 hours old before arrival. It was new to me. I thought all PCR test took at least 24 hours. Has anyone any experience with this test. I spoke to someone at the Urgent Care Center who assured me that this was all I need for travel. And, no, it's not the Antigen test.

Posted by
4525 posts

I support a Microbiology lab in Canada and we are getting some of these IDNow tests in, but I honestly don't know if it is meant to double check the results, but it sure isn't a 15 minute turn around for full verification, and I don't think it will satisfy everyone's PCR test requirements.
I'm sure you can find some literature on it on line as to how it is being accepted in other countries, however. Canada doesn't recognize it as a sufficient test for entry.

Posted by
398 posts

I work in a micro lab, and am fairly aware of the current tests available - and this definitely seems to be a rapid NAAT (Nucleic acid amplification test - a more specific term than PCR: All PCR are NAAT, not all NAAT are PCR). As stated, there is a big difference between the actual time a machine takes, and real processing time - but, given this is a "point of care" analyser, this should give you a result within 20 minutes in ideal settings.

Just a comment on the confusion over 24 hours. Our routine PCR test takes around 4 hours from sample being loaded to result (there are several steps involved) - but our capacity at any one time is limited to around 100 samples. This means that if your sample is at the front of the queue, and we are not overwhelmed, then you might get a result in 4 hours. If yours is the 1,500th sample of the day, it is going to be a while before it is complete. At peak output (about 2,200 samples a day) are normal turn around time, from receipt to result was around 15 hours. Our critical tests took just over an hour using different (Expensive and limited availability) tests.

Posted by
71 posts

Hi Kate:

I replied in another thread earlier this week to you with a suggestion to see if you have a Walgreens near you that offers ID Now. This is the test I used a few weeks ago while I was still in the U.S. before I traveled back to London.

This test is a NAAT test, which is a form of PCR test. I believe the turnaround time is so fast due to the Abbott machine that analyzes the results.

My test results (negative) had all of the required information for me to get into the UK. United Airlines checked all passengers’ test results twice before leaving the U.S. When I went through the Border Force checks in the UK, they also checked my test results (and many other documents). All was good.

Good luck!

Posted by
554 posts

From what I can tell from their website, Walgreens in South Bend does offer the ID NOW test. But they are saying results in 24 hours. Very confusing.
It wouldn't work for me due to their testing times.

Posted by
522 posts

Colleen, can you tell us how long it took to transit from when you left your United plane in London to when you got out of the terminal? Also, was it Gatwick or Heathrow. Trying to figure out times. Thanks!!

Posted by
3809 posts

Sometimes I find things on the RS forum that are worth researching for my own personal and professional knowledge. This is one of them!

Abbott's website for ID NOW: https://www.abbott.com/IDNOW.html

ID NOW is a molecular point-of-care test (mPOCT) --> https://www.abbott.com/IDNOW/IDNOW-COVID-19-FAQ.html (first FAQ)

It's a pretty clever process. (I won't bore you with a link).

You probably know this, but here are the current requirements for NAAT/PCR tests to enter the Netherlands: https://www.government.nl/topics/coronavirus-covid-19/visiting-the-netherlands-from-abroad/mandatory-negative-test-results-and-declaration/requirements-pcr-test-result

From that web page:

Type of test: the test used must be a molecular NAAT (PCR) test
(either PCR, RT PCR, LAMP, TMA or mPOCT). [emphasis mine]

So, according to the Netherlands (current) requirements, a mPOCT is an acceptable NAAT/PCR test (there is a difference between NAAT and PCR noted above but the acronyms appear to be used interchangeably by the Dutch government!).

Some airlines have offered the ID NOW test with certain flights from the US to AMS to meet the requirement --> https://apnews.com/press-release/globenewswire-mobile/travel-business-lifestyle-government-regulations-western-europe-4771fd2bc954c6db8c72d86fd1e09d35

For full fidelity with Abbott's published procedures for the test, the test should be run immediately after the swab is taken (https://www.abbott.com/corpnewsroom/diagnostics-testing/customer-update-on-our-idnow-covid-19-test.html) and results should be available in 13 minutes (see FAQ link above). I'm not sure why Walgreens is saying results can take 24 hours if the test is being run in the store (which it should be -- otherwise the test's reliability goes way down) -- ? data entry time ?

Posted by
10118 posts

I called Walgreens...they said the results appear immediately, but their contract obligates them to send the results to Abbott who then sends the results to the customer. That’s why there is a 24-hour leeway.

Posted by
8377 posts

Does it satisfy the requirement for entry to the US? OP is in the Netherlands.

Posted by
10118 posts

Kate's concern is regarding flying back to the Netherlands after a visit to the US. Getting into the US is easy-peasy: you can be admitted with just an antigen test.

Posted by
2207 posts

Kate and I have been discussing the "return to The NL" testing requirements as my wife faces the same challenge in July. Because the testing time-frame parameters are so tight - negative NAAT (PCR) results in less than 24 hours before take-off to NL - it's imperative to have a non-fallible plan in place. There's really not enough time to be looking for a second option if option 1 fails.

My wife flies home to NL from ATL on United, connecting through EWR. The ATL airport is not providing testing to UA passengers, Like Kate, her long layover (at EWR) compounds the problem and further minimizes the testing window. As per the NL guidelines, my wife has less than a 14-hour window to take the test and check in at the ATL airport with the certified, negative test results in hand. Thus, 24-hour test-result options just won't work. We all agree that this is an overly stringent timeframe, but it's better than the additional 4-hour rapid test requirements the NL had for about a week in late January.

For us, it's harder to get back in The NL - by plane - than it is to leave. I've found locations that can do the 2-test NL option at a cost of just over $350. (she would have to take a test on Thursday before 12 noon, go back the next day, Friday, after 6:15 PM for the second test, before checking in the following morning at ATL around 9.00 AM - CRAZY!). So finding a NAAT (PCR) standard test that can be done less than 24 hours in advance, with results in 30+ minutes would be incredible.

But finding a company that will guarantee meeting her 14-hour window has been tough. As Bets says, many have said they can tell you that you passed, but the certification - required to check-in - has to come from the lab. And so we're back to that "within a 24-hour timeframe." A friend in ATL claims they've found one Urgent Care center that may be able to do this "onsite" certification - the cost could be $425. Coupled with the cost of the rapid test in order to board the plane at AMS to head to the states, her tests will probably cost MORE than what we paid for the flights! No one said traveling in these COVID times would be easy.

The good news is my wife has the fallback to do the 2-test option, albeit time-consuming, over multiple days, and expensive. But like Kate, we're all seeking a one-shot, much quicker option. Or simply hoping that the Dutch government lifts this overly-stringent 24-hour testing regulation (the next gov't COVID policy announcement is May 19 - fingers crossed). And so, still looking...
.

Posted by
554 posts

Thanks everyone for their input.
I am returning to the US for my mother's 100th birthday. So this is not a trip I have undertaken on a whim. Mom is counting on me to show up. She reminds me of this every time I call.
Trying to figure out how to comply with the NL's rules to return has been a nightmare. So thank you everyone for your support.

Posted by
71 posts

I received my test results from Walgreens in less than an hour and was able to save and print the test results.

I, too, had a connecting flight through EWR. Even though United has its Travel Ready Center integrated into its app, and even though I uploaded my negative test result to the app and received confirmation from United that it was okay, I still was unable to check-in online.

When I got to the airport in CLE, the kiosk required an agent to verify my negative test result and completion of my UK documents (Passenger Locator Form and proof of purchase of the Mandatory Arrival COVID tests). Once at EWR, the gate agents did a second check of all documents for all passengers. I appreciated this diligence on United’s part.

After landing at Heathrow and taking the usual ~10 minute walk to immigration, I went to the lanes for eGates. There were several Border Force agents stationed just prior to the eGates and they checked each individual’s passport, negative COVID test, Passenger Locator Form, and proof of purchase of the Mandatory Arrival COVID tests. I then went to the eGate, inserted my passport, and was into the UK. From getting in line until getting into the UK took 10 minutes.

Having printed copies of all of the documents helped to expedite the reviews, though digital copies are accepted.

Posted by
554 posts

Colleen, what is a Passenger Locator Form and a proof of purchase of the Covid tests? Is this just something that the UK requires? Were your tests sent to an email address or a phone number? None of the sites I've looked at accept anything other than a US number.

"There were several Border Force agents stationed just prior to the eGates and they checked each individual’s passport, negative COVID test, Passenger Locator Form, and proof of purchase of the Mandatory Arrival COVID tests. "

Posted by
10118 posts

Colleen—where was your Walgreens? I assume testing isn’t drive through. I’ll call another one to see if 15 minute results are available and why the one I called had to send the results to the company first. Perhaps, some Hawaii travelers have experience to share.

Posted by
71 posts

Kate—UK requirements only. For the test at Walgreens, you sign up on Walgreens.com and they email your confirmation and your results. You click on a link to the results and there is an option to download a PDF document.

Bets—in Cleveland, Ohio. It was drive-through.

Posted by
9460 posts

Looks like Dave has found the magic information that confirms that that type of test will be accepted by the NL. Bravo!

Kate and RnR, I really feel for you trying to figure out how to comply with these requirements.

Posted by
10118 posts

This was really a group effort from Kate scouring every provider possible, Dave's info, and Colleen's experience. For anyone living far from convenient testing (me), or stupid enough to book a flight for right after a holiday weekend (me) when lab responses could slow down, this test being available at Walgreens is a good solution.

Kim--so glad you made it to Tulsa, and hope ID Now works for you.