Need Fast, Reliable Care Now? NovaHealth Urgent Care Puts People First!
If you need rapid COVID testing in Birmingham, MI, you may not want to wait days for answers—especially when symptoms appear, you have been exposed to COVID-19, or you need to make decisions about work, school, travel, or spending time around others.
At NovaHealth Urgent Care, we provide COVID-19 testing at our Southfield clinic for patients from Birmingham and surrounding communities. Walk-ins are welcome, so you can come in for testing without waiting for a traditional doctor’s appointment. Our clinic offers rapid antigen testing as well as PCR testing, allowing our medical team to help determine which option fits your situation.
Rapid COVID Testing for Birmingham-Area Patients
Rapid COVID-19 testing is designed to detect a current SARS-CoV-2 infection without the longer turnaround associated with many laboratory tests.
Rapid antigen tests look for proteins from the virus. According to the CDC, antigen tests usually produce results within 15–30 minutes. They can be useful when you need timely information about whether your symptoms may be caused by COVID-19.
At NovaHealth Urgent Care, our COVID-19 testing services include rapid antigen testing and PCR testing. Our current COVID testing information states that rapid antigen results are often available in under 30 minutes.
A faster result can help you decide what to do next, but speed is not the only consideration. Test sensitivity and the timing of your test matter too.
Rapid Antigen Test vs. PCR Test: Which Do You Need?
Rapid antigen and PCR tests can both detect a current COVID-19 infection, but they work differently.
Rapid antigen testing detects specific viral proteins and can provide results within minutes. The main advantage is speed. However, antigen tests are generally less sensitive than nucleic acid amplification tests, especially when someone does not have symptoms.
PCR testing is a type of nucleic acid amplification test, or NAAT. These tests detect genetic material from the virus and are generally more likely to detect SARS-CoV-2 than antigen tests. The CDC describes NAATs, including PCR tests, as the gold standard for COVID-19 testing.
The right choice depends on why you are being tested. If you are unsure, our healthcare team can evaluate your circumstances and help determine an appropriate testing option. NovaHealth currently offers both rapid antigen and PCR COVID-19 testing.
NovaHealth Urgent Care Services
NovaHealth Urgent Care Services near Birmingham, Michigan. Here’s an overview of their offerings when visiting this walk-in clinic:
Immediate Care for Non-Life Threatening Conditions
NovaHealth offers immediate treatment for many non-life-threatening health issues, from cold and flu symptoms to minor injuries like sprains and cuts. Their facilities are equipped to manage these ailments efficiently and precisely.
Diagnostic Testing
At our clinic, we offer various diagnostic services, such as X-rays and laboratory tests, to aid in accurate diagnosis and treatment planning for our patients’ conditions. This ensures a comprehensive assessment and targeted care plans tailored specifically to them.
Preventive and Wellness Services
NovaHealth Urgent Care emphasizes preventive health services beyond urgent care, providing vaccinations and health screenings that help you identify any potential issues and maintain overall wellness.
Occupational Health Services
NovaHealth offers businesses and employers occupational health services that include worker’s compensation evaluations and pre-employment physicals to ensure workplace health and safety standards are being met effectively.
Minor Surgical Procedures
Our clinic is equipped to perform minor surgical procedures, such as wound suturing and abscess drainage, providing quick intervention in cases that don’t require more extensive medical care.
Pediatric Care
Families with young children can rely on NovaHealth for pediatric urgent care services. Their experienced team is capable of dealing with an array of pediatric issues while offering compassionate and effective treatment for them.
Need Fast, Reliable Care Now? NovaHealth Urgent Care Puts People First!
When Should You Consider a COVID-19 Test?
COVID-19 testing can help determine whether you currently have an infection and guide decisions about treatment and reducing the chance of spreading the virus to others.
Testing may be worth considering when you develop respiratory symptoms, have reason to suspect a COVID-19 infection, or need testing for another specific purpose.
COVID-19 can cause a range of symptoms, and the illness can vary from an infection without noticeable symptoms to severe disease. Because respiratory illnesses can produce overlapping symptoms, symptoms alone may not tell you whether you have COVID-19.
If you are unsure whether testing makes sense based on your symptoms or recent infection history, a healthcare provider can help you decide.
What Does a Negative Rapid COVID Test Mean?
A negative rapid antigen result does not necessarily mean you do not have COVID-19. Antigen tests are less likely to detect the virus than NAATs, particularly when someone does not have symptoms or when testing occurs at a point when viral levels are harder to detect.
Current CDC guidance reflects FDA recommendations that people using antigen tests repeat negative testing. For people with symptoms, the recommendation is at least two negative antigen tests performed 48 hours apart. For people without symptoms, three antigen tests performed 48 hours apart are recommended. A NAAT may also be used to confirm an antigen test result.
This distinction matters when choosing rapid testing for convenience. A fast result is useful, but the result still needs to be interpreted in the context of your symptoms, timing, and recent COVID-19 history.
What If You Recently Had COVID-19?
Recent infection can change which COVID-19 test is appropriate.
The CDC notes that some tests, particularly NAATs such as PCR tests, can remain positive for up to 90 days after an infection. Reinfection can also occur during that period, which can make a new positive result harder to interpret.
For people who tested positive within the previous 90 days, CDC testing recommendations vary depending on how recently the first positive result occurred and whether new symptoms are present. Antigen testing may be recommended in circumstances where a PCR/NAAT would be less useful because viral RNA can remain detectable after the original infection.
Tell your healthcare provider if you recently had COVID-19 before being tested again.
Need Fast, Reliable Care Now? NovaHealth Urgent Care Puts People First!
What Happens During COVID Testing at NovaHealth Urgent Care?
We aim to keep the testing process straightforward.
When you arrive at NovaHealth Urgent Care, our team can review why you need testing and determine whether a rapid antigen or PCR test is appropriate. A qualified healthcare provider then collects the required sample and performs or processes the test.
Rapid antigen results are often available in under 30 minutes according to our current COVID testing information. PCR testing takes longer; our current service page lists a typical turnaround of 24–48 hours. Actual turnaround can vary, so patients who need results by a specific deadline should confirm timing before relying on an estimate.
Why Birmingham Patients Choose NovaHealth for COVID Testing
Our clinic is located in Southfield and provides walk-in urgent care and diagnostic services for the surrounding community. Patients can visit without an appointment, while online booking is also available for those who prefer to schedule ahead.
For COVID-19 testing, we offer:
- Rapid antigen and PCR testing
- Walk-in access
- Healthcare-provider-administered testing
- Extended weekday hours
- Other urgent care services when symptoms require medical evaluation
Our clinic is located at 25775 W 10 Mile Rd, Suite B, Southfield, MI 48033. Our website currently lists hours of 8 AM to 12 AM Monday through Friday and 8 AM to 6 PM Saturday. Because operating hours can change, check our current hours before traveling to the clinic.
Walk-In Rapid COVID Testing Near Birmingham, MI
If you are looking for rapid COVID testing in Birmingham, MI, NovaHealth Urgent Care provides testing at our nearby Southfield clinic.
You do not have to wait for a routine primary-care appointment to find out what may be causing your symptoms. Walk in during current clinic hours or book online before your visit. If you have questions about the appropriate COVID-19 test or need to confirm testing availability, call us at 248-450-5000.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get Rapid COVID Testing Near Birmingham, MI
When you need timely COVID-19 testing, we are here to help you understand your testing options and get the care you need.
Visit NovaHealth Urgent Care at 25775 W 10 Mile Rd, Suite B, Southfield, MI 48033, walk in during current clinic hours, book online, or call 248-450-5000 for information about COVID-19 testing availability.