When you go for a COVID-19 test, you should not:
- bring along anyone who isn’t getting tested, including children, if possible
- get tested too soon; experts suggest waiting five days after COVID-19 exposure to get tested
- seek testing at a hospital emergency room
“Only head to the emergency room if you have tested positive for COVID-19 or suspect you have it and are experiencing difficulty breathing, persistent chest pain and a bluish tint to your lips or face,” says Dr. Rothberg.
Write down any information that’s shared during your appointment. Since some of the sites are “pop-up” testing sites, it may be difficult or impossible to contact them after you had your test. Make sure to find out how and when you’ll get test results before leaving.
“Demand is high and wait times are long at many testing locations,” says Dr. Rothberg. “The heroes working in testing centers are doing their best to test everyone in a timely matter. Be patient, kind and remember to extend grace and humanity; we are all in this together.”
If you receive a possible result and have questions about your care, call your primary care physician.
