- When to Get Tested
- How to Get Tested
- Follow-Up Care
- Helpful Resources
- FAQ
Atrium Health is always here for you and your family. During the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), we’re doing everything we can to make sure you get the testing you need as quickly and easily as possible.
Keep reading to learn all about COVID-19 testing and what you can expect throughout the process.
This information is about viral testing, or tests that check for a current COVID-19 infection. If you’re looking for information about antibody testing, or testing to check if you had COVID-19 in the past, you can find that here.
When to get a COVID-19 test
There are a lot of reasons you might seek a COVID-19 test. Sometimes, when you should get tested for COVID-19 depends on your vaccination status.
We recommend getting tested if:
- You have symptoms of COVID-19. Some symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath and loss of taste and/or smell. It’s a good idea to get tested if you feel sick, even if you’re fully vaccinated.
- You were exposed to COVID-19. Exposure can happen if you’re within 6 feet of someone who tests positive for COVID-19 for at least 15 minutes, even if one or both of you were wearing a mask.
- If you’re fully vaccinated: Get tested 3 to 5 days after you were exposed to COVID-19. You don’t need to quarantine unless you test positive.
- If you’re not fully vaccinated: Get tested and start to quarantine as soon as you find out about the exposure. If your first test is negative, get tested again 5 to 7 days later.
- If you were recently in a large group of people and you’re not fully vaccinated. You should get tested if you were around a lot of people and couldn’t stay 6 feet apart, including travel and large social gatherings.
- You need a confirmed negative test. You might be asked to show a negative test result for work, school or travel, or to attend an event where exposure to COVID-19 is a risk.
- You’re having surgery or another procedure that requires sedation. If you’re getting a procedure at Atrium Health, you may be tested for COVID-19 beforehand. Your care team will let you know how and when testing will be done.
If you’re not sure if you should be tested, try our risk assessment tool, send a message to your care team on MyAtriumHealth, call your doctor or use one of the care options here.
How to get a COVID-19 test
If you’re sick and seek care for your symptoms, like at a doctor’s office or urgent care, your healthcare provider will help you decide if COVID-19 testing is right for you. Please do not go to the Emergency Department or Urgent Care only for a COVID-19 test.
If you want to get tested without a full doctor visit for screening or care, we also offer appointments just for self-swab testing at our primary care offices.
Or, to get tested without an appointment, visit one of our drive-thru community testing sites.
Keep scrolling to learn more. If you’re looking for testing for your child, please review our FAQ section for information about testing options by age.
Drive-thru testing at community testing sites
Due to decreased demand for testing, drive thru testing is currently closed. Should the needs rise again, please check back here for more information.
What to expect at our testing sites
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Before the test:
- Please wear a mask or cloth face covering to your testing appointment and keep it on until you’re asked to remove it for the test. Masks are also required for children ages 2 and older.
- Children under 3 years of age can NOT be tested at community testing sites.
- Please note that anyone under age 18 will need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian to get tested.
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During the test:
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After the test:
- With increases in demand for COVID-19 testing, your results can be delayed. You can expect to receive your results via text message or phone call approximately 3 to 5 days after your testing visit. You can also review your test results in MyAtriumHealth – creating an account is fast and easy. If you don’t receive your results within 7 days of your visit, please call 704-468-8888.
- While you’re waiting for your test results, if you have COVID-like symptoms, or you’re unvaccinated and were exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19, you should quarantine at home.
Testing by appointment at primary care offices
You don’t need to be an existing patient to get tested at one of our primary care offices, but you do need to make an appointment.
Find a location and schedule your appointment on MyAtriumHealth, or call 704-468-8888. Don’t have a MyAtriumHealth account? Sign up now.
If you don't have a primary care provider and want to find one, we’re happy to help. Please call us at 704-468-8888 for help, or search for a doctor online here.
Wondering how your COVID-19 testing appointment works? Here’s what to expect.
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Before the test:
- After you schedule your appointment, we’ll send you the full details by text message – including the time and location of the testing appointment.
- Please wear a mask or cloth face covering to your testing appointment and keep it on until you’re asked to remove it for the test. Masks are also required for children ages 2 and older.
- Please note that anyone under age 18 will need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian to get tested.
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During the test:
- The test is conducted with a nose swab. During your test-only appointment, a healthcare provider will supervise while you swab your nose or your child's nose. Here’s some information about how self-swab tests work.
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After the test:
- With increases in demand for COVID-19 testing, your results can be delayed. You can expect to receive your results via text message or phone call approximately 3 to 5 days after your testing visit. You can also review your test results in MyAtriumHealth – creating an account is fast and easy. If you don’t receive your results within 7 days of your visit, please call 704-468-8888.
- While you’re waiting for your test results, if you have COVID-like symptoms, or you’re unvaccinated and were exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19, you should quarantine at home.
Follow-up care
If you test positive, we are here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Your primary care provider will provide you the follow-up care needed, but should you need immediate care, we have several on-demand care options or you can call us at 704-468-8888 for help 24/7.
If you don't have a primary care provider, we are happy to help you find one. Please call us at 704-468-8888 for help finding a provider.
Helpful resources
For more helpful, easy-to-share information about COVID-19 testing, check out our resources below. To open an infographic as a PDF, click the arrow icon next to its title.
How to Self-Swab for a COVID-19 Test
One of our clinical supervisors walks you through the process of how to correctly self-swab and what to expect afterwards.
Self-swab instructions
Self-swab instructions - Spanish
What are the types of COVID-19 tests?
There are many different types of tests for COVID-19. Here are 3 of the most common tests and how we use them.
PCR tests
PCR tests are a type of viral test that checks for a current COVID-19 infection. Right now, PCR tests are the most accurate testing option available. This is usually the test required by employers, schools and for travel. With increases in demand for COVID-19 testing, your results can be delayed. Test results can be expected within 3-5 days. When you come to Atrium Health for a COVID-19 test, you’ll most likely get a PCR test. It’s done by swabbing your nose.
Rapid "antigen" tests"
Rapid tests check for a current COVID-19 infection and can give results in 15 minutes or less. But because they aren’t as accurate as PCR tests, they might not be accepted by employers, schools or for travel. Rapid tests are limited, so we only use them at certain locations for a specific purpose, like checking for a COVID-19 infection before a surgical procedure. Like PCR tests, rapid tests are done by swabbing your nose.
Antibody tests
Antibody tests can show if you’ve had COVID-19 in the past, and all it takes is a simple blood draw. While we’re still learning the full potential of antibody testing, experts believe this could be a helpful tool to guide our communities forward. Testing is available by appointment only at convenient locations throughout the greater Charlotte area. Find out more.
How much does a COVID-19 test cost?
PCR and rapid “antigen” tests are used to check for a current COVID-19 infection. These tests are typically provided at no cost to you, but the cost can change depending on your insurance coverage and the reason for your test.
There is no out-of-pocket cost for tests that are done for health reasons, like testing after exposure to COVID-19 or if you have COVID-19 symptoms.
If you need a test for work, school or travel, this test will be billed to your insurance provider, and you may have out-of-pocket costs. Contact your insurance provider with questions specific to your plan.
How do self-swab tests work?
If you make an appointment at a primary care office just for testing, or you visit one of our community testing sites, we’ll provide a self-swab COVID-19 test. Self-swab, or self-testing, means that you conduct the test by swabbing your nose or your child’s nose. You can find out more about self-testing here.
Where can my child get a COVID-19 test?
If your child is sick and you think they need to be tested for COVID-19, we recommend contacting your pediatrician’s office to schedule an appointment for testing or care.
If you need help finding testing for your child or don’t have a pediatrician, call 704-468-8888. You can also search for a doctor onlinehere.
For children ages 3 and older, you can also make an appointment just for testing at one of our area primary care offices, even if you or your child hasn’t been there before. Find a location and schedule your appointment on MyAtriumHealth, or call 704-468-8888. Don’t have a MyAtriumHealth account? Sign up now.
Please note that anyone under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to get tested.
Do I need identification (ID) to get tested?
You may be asked to show ID if you visit a primary care office for testing.
Where can I see my results?
With increases in demand for COVID-19 testing, your results can be delayed. Test results can be expected within 3-5 days. Your results will be delivered via text message or phone call.
Your test results will also be available in MyAtriumHealth, even if you haven’t set up your account yet. Sign up or log in here.
If you don’t receive your results within 7 days of your appointment, please call 704-468-8888.
Where can I get more information about COVID-19 testing?
If you have questions about testing for COVID-19, the best thing you can do is message your care team on MyAtriumHealth or call your doctor. If you don’t have a doctor, you can search for one online here. We can help you book a primary care appointment within 24 hours.
For more general information about COVID-19 testing, we recommend the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.
FAQs
How long does it take to get COVID test results in SC? ›
Sample Results
Reports are available within 24-48 hours after the sample is received by the PHL. If your facility/practice is not enrolled in OpenELIS, please fill out authorized user and confidentiality agreement and send via email to openelis_admin@dhec.sc.gov to get a customer ID and access to OpenELIS.
A POSITIVE result must show BOTH a BLUE line and a PINK line near the BLUE line. Look closely! Even a very faint, pink Test Line and a blue Control Line is a POSITIVE result. The intensity of the lines may vary.
What is a rapid NAAT test vs PCR? ›The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test is an amplification test (NAAT test) like the Abbott ID NOW test. The difference is in how long it takes for the tests to process. There are PCR tests that are sent to the lab that take 3 to 7 days to evaluate and a rapid PCR test that provides same-day results.
How much is a rapid COVID test in Oklahoma? ›Yes, you can choose to pay for your test with a debit/credit/FSA/HSA card with no screening required. The cost for lab testing is $129, which includes $90 for the independent laboratory that processes your test and $39 for your MinuteClinic visit.
What is a PCR COVID test? ›PCR or molecular tests: This type of test, called PCR, detects the presence of genetic material of the virus (RNA) through samples taken from the person's respiratory secretions.
How long does it take to get COVID results? ›Most people will get their result within 2 days, but it can take longer.
How long are you contagious with COVID? ›Those with severe COVID-19 may remain infectious beyond 10 days and may need to extend isolation for up to 20 days. People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised should isolate through at least day 20.
Can you be positive one day and negative the next Covid? ›Unfortunately, yes—it is possible.
How long do COVID symptoms last? ›Most people with COVID-19 get better within a few days to a few weeks after infection, so at least four weeks after infection is the start of when post-COVID conditions could first be identified.
How accurate is Omicron rapid test? ›The sensitivities for nasal samples with the three kits ranged from 77%–86% over the entire study period, but this range fell to 70%–81% when Omicron became predominant. For the two assays with combined oropharyngeal and nasal testing, the samples had up to 10% higher sensitivity over nasal samples alone.
Do I need a PCR test? ›
You can get a PCR test if you have symptoms and you: are age 55 or older and have not had a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose. have a high-risk medical condition. have a weak immune system (immunocompromised)
When should you take a Covid test? ›- Been in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 person;
- Travelled to a high risk country;
- Worked in or been to a healthcare facility treating people with Covid-19;
Covid-19 symptoms and testing
Free universal symptomatic (PCR tests) and asymptomatic (rapid tests) testing has now ended. Rapid tests are still available for a cost. Check GOV.UK for more information or with your local pharmacy.
Express PCR test €89 results in 1-3hours.
What to do if test positive for COVID Oklahoma? ›If you test positive for COVID-19, you will be contacted by phone within 48 hours with further instructions. If your results are negative, please watch for an email message that will redirect you to your patient portal with more information.
How accurate is PCR vs rapid? ›In fact, if you have ever been asked to show proof of a COVID-19 test, you were required to provide results from a PCR test. These tests provide more accurate results than rapid tests, and that's because they use a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to identify the viral genetic material of COVID-19.
Can you drink before a Covid test? ›Do not eat or drink for at least 30 minutes before doing the test to reduce the risk of spoiling the test.
Is rapid antigen test the same as PCR? ›When a person is shedding a lot of virus, antigen tests are very accurate. However, unlike PCR tests, antigen tests don't amplify the thing they are looking for. This means there needs to be enough viral antigen in the sample for the antibodies on the test strip to generate a signal.
How long do you have to isolate If you test positive for Covid? ›You need to self-isolate for 7 full days, including day 7 itself. Start from the date you first had symptoms. If you do not have symptoms, it's 7 days from the date of your first positive result. You can stop isolating after 7 days if your symptoms are fully or mostly gone for the last 48 hours.
How accurate is PCR COVID test? ›Is PCR Testing Accurate? Yes, PCR test results are generally considered to be accurate. While rapid antigen tests commonly produce false negatives and false positives—especially when a COVID-19 infection is still in its early stages—these issues are much less likely to occur with PCR tests.
How long does a PCR test take to come back? ›
NHS PCR test result
If you did a PCR test from the NHS, you might get your result the next day, but it may take up to 3 days. You'll usually get a text or email with your result when it's ready.
Use medications containing guaifenesin, such as Robitussin, Mucinex, and Vicks 44E. keeping you from getting rest. Coughing is useful because it brings up mucus from the lungs and helps prevent bacterial infections. People with asthma and other lung diseases need to cough.
When does COVID get worse? ›A person may have mild symptoms for about one week, then worsen rapidly. Let your doctor know if your symptoms quickly worsen over a short period of time.
What are the early signs of detection of the coronavirus? ›- runny nose or congestion.
- headache or fatigue.
- muscle or joint pains.
- nausea or loss of appetite.
- diarrhoea or vomiting.
- temporary loss of smell or altered sense of taste.
You can have COVID-19 and spread it to others even if you do not have symptoms. Your COVID-19 test can be negative even if you are infected. Most people do not test positive for the virus until days after exposure. You may also be exposed to the virus afteryou are tested and then get infected.
How long before I test negative? ›If you no longer have symptoms after five days or are fever-free for at least 24 hours without using a fever-reducing medication, you do not need to take another COVID-19 test to confirm you are no longer positive, unless you have been directed to by your workplace or school.
Can dogs catch COVID? ›The virus that causes COVID-19 can spread from people to animals during close contact. Pets worldwide, including cats and dogs, have been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, mostly after close contact with people with COVID-19. The risk of pets spreading COVID-19 to people is low.
How will I receive my Covid-19 test results? ›Your test results will be sent to your healthcare provider. If you have agreed to be contacted directly with your test results, your test result may be sent directly to you.
How long does it take to get a rapid Covid test back? ›The results are available within 24 hours.
How long does it take to get a negative test? ›If you no longer have symptoms after five days or are fever-free for at least 24 hours without using a fever-reducing medication, you do not need to take another COVID-19 test to confirm you are no longer positive, unless you have been directed to by your workplace or school.
How long are you infectious with Covid? ›
What to do if you've tested positive for COVID-19. If you have COVID-19, you can pass on the virus to other people for up to 10 days from when your infection starts. Many people will no longer be infectious to others after 5 days.
Can you test negative for Covid and still be contagious? ›You can have COVID-19 and spread it to others even if you do not have symptoms. Your COVID-19 test can be negative even if you are infected. Most people do not test positive for the virus until days after exposure. You may also be exposed to the virus afteryou are tested and then get infected.