COVID-19 Community Testing Sites and Testing FAQs

Oral/nasal swab or saliva tests look for evidence of active viral infection. There are two major types: A PCR test and an antigen test.

The PCR test looks for the presence of a virus’s genetic material, while an antigen test looks for specific proteins on a virus’s surface. A PCR test is more sensitive than an antigen test but takes longer to receive a PCR test result.

An antibody test shows if a person has been exposed to the virus through infection at some point in the past, or if a person has developed antibodies after receiving vaccination. Antibody tests CANNOT be used to detect a current COVID-19 infection.

Visit the U.S. Food & Drug Administration for more coronavirus testing basics.

First, it will be important to decide if you want to seek testing covered by your insurance, free government testing or cash testing not typically covered by insurance. Testing can range from no-cost (community testing sites) up to $139 (over the counter), so this will be an important factor. If the test is required for travel or return to work or school, be careful to seek the correct test to meet appropriate requirements. Be aware that most tests for travel must be performed within a few days of departure. 

Signs and symptoms of COVID-19 may appear two to 14 days after exposure. If you are experiencing symptoms, you should seek evaluation with a provider.

It is important for individuals with critical needs, including trauma, heart attack, stroke and other emergent issues to seek immediate care. If you have symptoms such as trouble breathing, chest pain or pressure, new confusion, the inability to stay awake, or pale, gray or blue-colored skin or lips, head to the closest emergency room or call 911.

If you are ruling out COVID-19 due to exposure or other concerns and are not symptomatic, please seek testing without seeing a provider (e.g. community testing sites, CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, etc.) or use a home or self-collection option. 

Fully vaccinated people who have come into close contact with someone with COVID-19 (within 6 feet of someone with COVID for more than 15 minutes in a 24-hour period) should be tested 3-5 days following the date of their exposure and wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days or until they receive a negative test result. They should isolate if they test positive. This is because occasionally vaccinated persons can carry the virus or develop mild disease and spread COVID to others.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that anyone with any signs or symptom of COVID get tested, regardless of vaccination status or prior infection. This is because individuals who have received the COVID vaccine can still carry the COVID virus or have a mild case. If you get tested because you have symptoms or were potentially exposed to the virus, you should stay away from others pending test results and follow the advice of your health care provider or a public health professional.

Fully vaccinated people who have come into close contact with someone with COVID (within 6 feet of someone with COVID for more than 15 minutes in a 24-hour period) should be tested 3-5 days following the date of their exposure and wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days or until they receive a negative test result. This is to ensure that they see are not carrying the virus without symptoms, which would mean that they could spread COVID to those around them. They should isolate if they test positive.

If you are fully vaccinated, you do not need to get tested before or after travel or self-quarantine after the trip if you are traveling within the U.S.

For international travel, you need to pay close attention to the situation at your destination before traveling outside of the country, as certain destinations require testing prior to travel. I would suggest working with a travel agency or consulting the CDC website for more information before you depart or plan to return.

If you are attending a gathering, are not fully vaccinated and aged 2 or older, you should wear a mask in indoor public places. In general, you do not need to wear a mask in outdoor settings, but in an area with a high number of COVID cases, like Northern Indiana, consider wearing a mask in crowded outdoor settings and for activities with close contact with others who are not fully vaccinated.

People who have a condition or are taking medications that weaken their immune system may not be fully protected even if they are fully vaccinated and may wish to avoid large gatherings. If you are fully vaccinated, to maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others, wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of a high number of COVID cases like our area.

Yes. COVID-19 tests are available at no cost nationwide at designated health centers and select pharmacies. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act ensures that COVID-19 testing is free to anyone in the U.S., including the uninsured.

In Indiana, no-cost testing is available at:

• Health departments and community health centers
• Commercial locations, such as CVS, Walgreens, or Wal-Mart

Learn more about requirements for each resource.

The Indiana Department of Health has an excellent website to help select testing facilities in your area. You can search by county for available testing sites. It includes free health department and community test sites, healthcare providers, retail sites and Rapid Antigen Test sites.

The Indiana Department of Health has a hotline for general testing questions or inquiries for test results at 1-877-826-0011. 

If you reside in Ohio, the Ohio Department of Health website also allows you to search for testing sites in your area.