How and Where to Get Covid Tests This Season

In the past, the end of the year was known as flu season. However, since 2019, we’ve also known that it’s the most common time of year for an uptick in Covid cases. While immunizations have helped slow the spread of the virus, it continues to mutate and evolve, creating the need for ongoing vigilance, which includes Covid testing.

While we’re no longer dealing with mandates to stay at home and most people aren’t wearing masks in public any longer, Covid is here to stay. With that in mind, it’s important to know where you can get tests that allow you to swab yourself at home.

At the height of the virus, people spent hours in line waiting for testing, but that’s not the case anymore. Today, learn more about where you can get Covid-19 tests and how to get them.

At Home Testing

One of the biggest revolutions that helped fight the spread of the Covid-19 virus was the introduction of at-home Covid testing.

At one point during the virus, many states were requiring everyone to stay at home unless they were going to the doctor, and most doctors transitioned to video appointments. However, people still had to go to their doctor to get swabbed for Covid.

During the virus’ most prominent period, manufacturers introduced at-home testing that allowed people to follow very detailed instructions in order to get a quick diagnosis.

Initially, these tests were hard to get, but that’s not the case anymore. You can get at-home tests from virtually every online retailer, including Amazon. Spend some time looking at the reviews and grab at least one box of tests so you and your loved ones can find out within half an hour if you’re facing a bout with Covid.

Pharmacies and Other Retail Locations

Most of the major pharmacy chains in the US, including CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreens still offer on-site Covid testing. Most of these major companies allow you to schedule Covid testing online, which also allows you to choose between PCR testing and rapid testing.

Many Walmart locations also offer on-site testing, but it’s important to call your nearest location and ask if they’re participating.

When you go to the pharmacy to get a test, it’s important to know what you’re getting. PCR tests are still considered more accurate, but often take anywhere from one to three days to return results.

Rapid tests are faster, and while they’re still accurate, aren’t quite as accurate as their counterparts. Also, PCR tests are usually covered by insurance while rapid tests typically come with an out-of-pocket cost.

Even if you don’t use a major pharmacy chain for your prescription drug needs, you can get your test done at one of these locations. You can also contact your independent pharmacy to find out if they’re offering testing.

Community Testing Sites

While these have slowed down in popularity over the last couple of years, it’s still possible to find some community testing sites through your local health department.

It’s rare to find these when there isn’t a surge in cases, but if you hear about an uptick in positive tests in your community, it’s a safe bet that your health department will eventually open up a community testing location.

Most of these events don’t require any insurance or out-of-pocket costs and are typically funded by your city or state’s health departments.

In late 2019 and early 2020, there were also churches, schools, and other community organizations that worked in conjunction with local health officials to set up community testing sites. If your area experiences a surge in Covid cases, don’t hesitate to reach out to the groups that hosted testing clinics in the past to find out if they plan on doing so again.

Urgent Care Clinics

There are currently more than 4.6 million urgent care clinics in the United States, a figure that most experts agree will only go up in the future. Many of these clinics, especially those in rural areas, weren’t all that popular until the pandemic, but the availability of on-site testing without the need for an appointment made them a vital part of many communities.

To make things even easier, many of those clinics stopped charging for Covid tests as a means of encouraging people to get swabbed at the first sign of symptoms.

If you choose to go to an urgent care clinic for your Covid testing, it’s a good idea to call ahead. Many of these locations are quite busy while dealing with the staff shortages that have plagued the healthcare industry since 2020. You’ll also want to be sure that they have Covid tests on hand, as many clinics dealt with shortages in the past.

Travel-Specific Testing

One of the most difficult aspects of Covid when it was at its peak was the requirements put in place by different states and nations.

At one point, there were states that had said that residents were not permitted to enter depending on what state they were from, as some states were stricter than others. For international travelers, things got even more complex, and while things have calmed down, the arrival of Covid season does mean that you need to be aware.

Fortunately, some of the biggest airports in the nation now offer on-site Covid tests, which may become even more important if there’s another international surge in cases. Think ahead when making your travel plans, especially if you hear about a surge in positive tests in your area, or in the area where you’re traveling to.

Mobile Testing Units

While it’s tragic that it became a necessity, one of the best things that came out of the Covid-19 pandemic was the introduction of mobile testing units. It became increasingly common to see a van staffed with medical personnel pulling into neighborhoods, especially those that didn’t have access to medical care, to perform Covid tests.

In some areas, particularly in major metropolitans, these mobile units are still working. With this in mind, this might be the most difficult type of testing to get access to. It largely requires you to be in the right place at the right time unless you can find some information about where they’ll be traveling next.

School and Work Testing

Finally, many employers and schools, especially colleges, offer on-site testing for anyone who experiences Covid symptoms. While there are a few businesses and schools that have Covid testing available at all times, most have scaled back to only offering it when they’ve noticed an increase in cases or during high transmission periods.

One of the most appealing aspects of these tests is that they’re almost always free, as the business or school pays for the tests.

Depending on where you work or attend school, tests may be mandatory as they were at the peak of the pandemic. Be sure to check with your school or employer to find out about their on-site Covid-testing options.

Be Ready to Battle the Virus

Since Covid is an airborne virus, it’s safe for us to assume that it’s going to be part of our lives indefinitely.

However, by getting tests that allow you and your loved ones to swab at home, and knowing where to get tested quickly, you can take some early steps to stifle the spread of the virus, which will ideally prevent us from reentering the chaos that we endured in 2020.