Most patients who are tested for the coronavirus at Physicians Quality Care in Jackson can expect to get results back within 24 hours if they get tested Monday through Thursday.

Those testing on Friday and over the weekend should see results by the following Tuesday.

“Physicians Quality Care is now sending its FDA-approved COVID 19 tests to a CDC-approved, nationally accredited reference laboratory that is able to get results in about 24 hours,” said Dr. Jimmy Hoppers, Physicians Quality Care CEO. “The situation is fluid and can change day to day. Unless and until this reference lab changes its policy or gets overwhelmed with COVID-19 tests, we can expect lab results back in a day.”

As of the end of the day Monday, PQC had done a total of 222 tests for the coronavirus; 38 of those tests were done Monday.

“The clinic has had two positive test results – both non-Madison County residents – out of the 48 results that have been returned so far. Increased volumes caused some of the national reference labs to take five days or longer to get results back to the clinic,” Hoppers said, “We should have more results faster now that the wait time has been shortened.”

PQC in Jackson is operating three completely separate clinics, each with separate entrances and exam rooms isolated from one another – one for patients with COVID-19 concerns, one for urgent care patients who are not showing symptoms related to COVID-19, and one for primary care and OCCMed patients.

“Patients who are worried that they may have been exposed, have someone at home at high risk or think they themselves are at increased risk are being tested in our COVID-19 Clinic at our Jackson location on Pleasant Plains Extended,” Hoppers said, “If you are concerned about COVID-19, we encourage you to get tested.”

Patients with COVID-19 concerns should call PQC ahead of time or from the clinic’s parking lot when they arrive. They will be given a mask, brought through the COVID-19 clinic entrance and taken directly to an exam room without waiting.

The exam includes a medical history, physical exam and screening for other common illnesses that are treatable yet may mimic COVID-19 symptoms, Hoppers said, “We follow strict isolation protocols. Each patient is being individually seen in our dedicated COVID-19 facility.”

The Jackson location is open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. With all COVID-19 concerned patients directed to Jackson, the Milan location is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For more information, call 731-984-8400 or visit physiciansqualitycare.com.