When to Get Tested
Key times to get tested for COVID-19 include:
- If you have symptoms, test immediately.
- If you were exposed to COVID-19 and do not have symptoms, wait at least 5 full days after your exposure before testing. If you test too early, you may be more likely to get an inaccurate result.
- If you are in certain high-risk settings, you may need to test as part of a screening testing program.
- Consider testing before contact with someone at high risk for severe COVID-19, especially if you are in an area with a medium or high COVID-19 Community Level.
Testing Options
COVID-19 testing sites are available in Fairfax and the surrounding jurisdictions. Use this Virginia Department of Health (VDH) tool to search for a testing site in Virginia near you.
At-Home Testing
At-home testing allows a person to collect a specimen and perform either a molecular or antigen test at home according to directions provided with the kit.
Getting an at-home test:
- As of December 15, households can now order four more free at-home COVID-19 tests. Order your tests at COVIDTests.gov, or by calling 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489) between 8 a.m. and midnight ET any day of the week.
- At-home tests can be purchased at pharmacies and other retailers.
- Individuals who purchase tests commercially (at a store or online) may also submit receipts for reimbursement through their private insurance plans. Private health insurers are required to cover up to eight at-home tests per month. Contact your insurance company to learn more. Learn more about reimbursement at COVIDtests.gov.
Using at-home COVID-19 tests:
The FDA recommends repeat testing after a negative result on an at-home COVID-19 antigen test, whether or not you have symptoms. Repeat testing reduces the risk an infection may be missed and to help prevent people from unknowingly spreading the virus
- If you have COVID-19 symptoms, test again 48 hours after the first negative test. If you get a negative result on the second test and you are concerned that you could have COVID-19, you may choose to test again 48 hours after the second test, consider getting a laboratory molecular-based test, or call your health care provider.
- You may have COVID-19, but tested before the virus was detectable, or you may have another illness.
- Take general public health precautions to prevent spreading an illness to others.
- Contact a healthcare provider if you have any questions about your test result or if your symptoms worsen.
- If you do not have COVID-19 symptoms and believe you have been exposed to COVID-19, test again 48 hours after the first negative test, then 48 hours after the second negative test. You should continue to take recommended steps after exposure.
- See the detailed guidance about when to repeat testing.
Most at-home COVID-19 antigen tests do not detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus as well as molecular tests, like PCR tests. COVID-19 antigen tests may not detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus early in an infection, meaning testing soon after you were exposed to someone with COVID-19 could lead to a false-negative result (this means the test did not detect the virus when a person is infected), especially if you don't have symptoms.
Positive antigen test results are typically accurate. If you receive a positive result initially or after a repeat test, this means the test detected the SARS-CoV-2 virus and you most likely have COVID-19.
More at-home tests tips:
- Store all test components according to the manufacturer’s instructions until ready for use.
- Check the expiration date. Do not use expired tests or test components that are damaged or appear discolored based on the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Clean the countertop, table, or other surfaces where you will do the test.
- Do not open test devices or other test components until you are ready to start the testing process.
- Have a timer ready because you may need to time several of the test steps.
- Read test results only within the amount of time specified in the manufacturer’s instructions. A result read before or after the specified timeframe may be incorrect.
- Don’t reuse test devices or other components.
Contact a Health Care Provider
Call your health care provider to discuss your symptoms and get scheduled for a test. Places such as urgent care centers, community health centers, and community-based clinics across the region also offer testing.
You can search for a location using the VDH testing site search tool or by calling a provider directly. Most clinics are set up to swab patients for testing on-site and some offer drive-up and walk-up testing options.
Qualified uninsured individuals may now be able to access free COVID-19 laboratory testing through Quest Diagnostics. This testing is offered as part of a program from the CDC. To see if you qualify and make an appointment, visit the Quest website.
Get tested by the Health Department
The Health Department offers COVID-19 testing at its clinics to people who have symptoms; those who do not have access to testing options available in the community; those identified as close contacts; and for those returning from international travel. Appointments are required. Call 703-324-7404 to schedule a testing appointment.
The Health Department testing through its mobile laboratory partner Curative ceased operations on Thursday, Dec. 15.
Learn more.
