COVID-19 Testing and Local Testing Sites
Testing for COVID-1chat
There are laboratory tests that can identify the virus that causes COVID-19 in respiratory specimens. State and local public
Self-Checker
A guide to help you make decisions and seek appropriate medical care
Who Should be Tested?
Not everyone needs to be tested for COVID-19. Here is some information that might help in making decisions about seeking care or testing.
- Most people have mild illness and are able to recover at home.
- There is no treatment specifically approved for this virus.
- Testing results may be helpful to inform decision-making about who you come in contact with.
CDC has guidance for who should be tested, but decisions about testing are at the discretion of state and local health departments and/or individual clinicians.
- Clinicians should work with their state and local health departments to coordinate testing through public health laboratories, or work with clinical or commercial laboratories.
How to Get Tested
If you have symptoms of COVID-19 and want to get tested, try calling your state or local health department or a medical provider. While supplies of these tests are increasing, it may still be difficult to find a place to get tested.
What to do after you are tested
- If you test positive for COVID-19, see If You Are Sick or Caring for Someone.
- If you test negative for COVID-19, you probably were not infected at the time your specimen was collected. However, that does not mean you will not get sick. It is possible that you were very early in your infection at the time of your specimen collection and that you could test positive later, or you could be exposed later and then develop illness. In other words, a negative test result does not rule out getting sick later.
CDC expects that widespread transmission of COVID-19 in the United States will occur. In the coming months, most of the U.S. population will be exposed to this virus. You should continue to practice all the protective measures recommended to keep yourself and others free from illness. See How to Protect Yourself.
Additional information: U.S. Food and Drug Adminstration FAQs on Diagnostic Testing for SARS-CoV-2external icon.
If you are extremelly sick, get medical attention immediately!
When to Seek Medical Attention
IIf you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. Emergency warning signs include*:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion or inability to arouse
- Bluish lips or face
*This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.
Healthcare Professionals
For information on testing for healthcare professionals, see recommendations for reporting, testing, and specimen collection at Interim Guidance for Healthcare Professionals.
Drive-Thru Testing
Things to consider when looking for a drive-thru testing site:
- Do I know the screening criteria for the drive-thru testing site?
- Do I know the operating hours for the drive-thru testing site?
- Do I know if the drive-thru testing site is covered by my insurance provider and/or how the billing process works?
- Do I know how to get my testing results?
Call ahead or visit the testing site website for information, as screening criteria and operating hours may change.
How to Get your COVID-19 Test Results:
Please contact the telephone number or online lab information provided on your drive-thru testing receipt. If your specimen was sent to LabCorp or Quest Diagnostics to be tested, the following document contains instructions on how to obtain your COVID-19 test results online:
- How to Log in to LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics (PDF, V.1.0, released 3/31/2020)
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Drive-Thru Testing Site Map:
The testing sites included in the drive-thru testing site map are not run or overseen by the Texas Department of State Health Services. Details are accurate according to the best available information at the time of listing. DSHS will update information as it becomes available.