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- What to Do If You Are Sick
- Walk-Up Testing Site
- Drive-Through Testing Site
- Additional Diagnostic (Viral/Antigen) and Antibody Test Locations in Arlington
- At-Home COVID-19 Test Kits
- What to Do After Testing
What to Do If You Are Sick
Call your doctor: If you think you may have been exposed to COVID-19, and develop a fever, cough or other symptoms, call your healthcare provider for medical advice. Most people have mild illness and are able to recover at home.
- Keep track of your symptoms.
- If you have an emergency warning sign (including trouble breathing), get medical attention right away.
If you are sick with COVID-19 or think you might have COVID-19, follow these steps to care for yourself and to help protect other people in your home and community.
Testing for COVID-19
Two kinds of tests are available for COVID-19: viral tests and antibody tests.
- A viral test tells you if you have a current infection.
- An antibody test tells you if you had a previous infection.
Virginia Department of Health’s Updated Guidance on Testing for COVID-19
Although testing capacity at commercial, private, and hospital laboratories performing SARS-CoV-2 testing has increased in Virginia, the availability of testing supplies continues to challenge the ability to meet the high demand for testing and timely results. VDH recommendations for prioritizing testing are summarized in its Viral Testing Prioritization table. If testing in the private sector is not available, clinicians may request testing for patients at DCLS by contacting the Arlington County Health Department.
The Arlington County Public Health Department, along with other public health agencies in the region, is not testing for COVID-19. You must contact your doctor to be evaluated.
Visit the Virginia Department of Health map/list for information of known locations of various COVID-19 test sampling sites in Arlington County.
Walk-Up COVID-19 Sample Collection Site
Arlington Free Clinic, in partnership with Arlington County and the Virginia Department of Health, offers a walk-up sample collection site at the Arlington Mill Community Center (909 S Dinwiddie St.) for low-income, uninsured and under-insured residents ages 13 years and older.
Requirements for visiting the COVID-19 Sample Collection Site:
- HOURS (NEW hours effective Dec. 5, 2020)
- Monday – Friday: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
- Second and fourth Monday of each month: 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.
- First Saturday of the month: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- There is no fee for the testing.
- Must be an Arlington resident.
- No appointments required, but you may make one by calling Arlington Free Clinic at 703-912-0118, Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Staff can take calls in English and Spanish.
- No medical consultation and no insurance required.
- Residents may access the site at Arlington Mill Community Center by entering through the outdoor plaza facing Columbia Pike.
- Individuals must bring proof of identity (U.S. government ID not required).
Drive-Through COVID-19 Collection Site
Arlington County operates a drive-through sample collection site in partnership with Quest Diagnostics. Additionally, the site also offers testing for influenza (flu) as of Nov. 17, 2020.
Location: 1429 N. Quincy Street, Arlington, VA 22207
Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Fax Number: 703-312-6306
Requirements:
- Patients must be 13 years and older.
- Patients must have an existing order for COVID-19 testing from a licensed healthcare provider. Physicians with symptomatic patients (fevers, chills, cough, or shortness of breath) can send orders electronically through their EMR by placing the order on a “PSC Hold” through their Quest Diagnostics account number.
- No appointment is needed, but one can be made online.
- Individuals arriving at the drive-through site will be asked to remain in their cars. Patients must keep their car windows up at all times, until directed to do otherwise.
- The collection method will be third-party observed patient self-collection.
Inclement weather may result in sample collection site closure. Check @ReadyArlington and @ArlingtonVA for site closure and reopening announcements.
No-Cost COVID-19 Testing Kiosks
To expand access to COVID-19 testing options, Arlington County launched no-cost, kiosk-based testing sites, in partnership with the private testing company Curative.
The two testing sites, located in the parking lots of Aurora Hills Community Center (735 18th St. S.) and Tucker Field at Barcroft Park (4200 S. Four Mile Run Dr.) will open on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021, continuing the County’s efforts to limit community spread and provide more testing options in areas disproportionately affected by COVID-19.
Both locations, operated by Curative, will be open seven days a week, 12-8 p.m. More info.
COVID-19 Diagnostic (Viral/Antigen) and Antibody Test Locations in Arlington
In addition to the walk-up and drive-through testing sites, below are Arlington locations that offer COVID-19 tests.
There are two types of COVID-19 tests—diagnostic and antibody. A diagnostic test shows if you have a current infection by taking a nasal or throat swab. An antibody test shows if you have antibodies due to a past infection by taking a blood sample.
There are two types of diagnostic tests— Viral PCR and Antigen—which have different ways of detecting the virus. Viral PCR tests are highly accurate and processed in a lab (which may take a couple of days for test results). Positive Antigen test results are also highly accurate; Negative Antigen test results may need confirmation via Viral PCR test. Rapid Antigen tests take about 15 minutes for results.
Please confirm specific details with each facility as it may change over time.
| Facility | Phone Number & Hours | Test Type | Eligibility/ Requirements |
Appointment Required | Language Interpreter Available | Accepts Uninsured Patients | Cost (check with your insurance company if a test is covered) |
| AllCare Family Medicine and Urgent Care of Arlington | 703-812-8200
M-Sa: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. |
Viral PCR
Antibody |
Step 1: Virtual doctor visit required before testing Step 2: Use drive-thru at Alexandria, Tysons Corner, or Lorton AllCare (PCR test) OR visit Arlington site (Antibody test) |
No, for PCR
Yes, for antibody |
Spanish | Yes |
Accepted insurance or gov. ID: Free Proof of no insurance & non-gov. ID: $125 Non-accepted insurance: $206 |
| Arlington Mill Community Center (Arlington Free Clinic/Arlington County/Virginia Department of Health) |
703-912-0118
M-F: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. Second & fourth Monday of the month: 12 p.m. – 7 p.m. First Saturday of the month: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. |
Viral PCR |
Test ages 13+ No doctor order needed Low-income, uninsured, or under-insured Arlington resident |
No | Spanish | Yes | Free (This site is a local safety-net clinic that offers testing to low-income, uninsured, and under-insured residents) |
| Capitol Travel Medicine |
703-351-5100
M, W, F: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. |
Viral PCR
Antigen Antibody |
No doctor order needed |
Yes | Yes | PCR: $130
Antigen: $130 Antibody: $100 |
|
| Drive-Through Collection Site (Arlington County/Quest) | M-F: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Viral PCR | Test ages 13+
Doctor order for test required; Symptoms required |
No | No | Test billed to insurance (must provide health insurance) | |
| INOVA Urgent Care – North Arlington | 571-492-3080
M-F: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. |
Viral PCR | Symptoms required OR Doctor order for pre-surgery test required | Yes | Spanish | Yes | Visit (if needed): $200
PCR: $50 |
| Preston’s Pharmacy | 703-522-3412
M-F: 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. |
Viral PCR
Antigen Antibody |
Test ages 2+
No doctor order needed |
Yes | Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Russian | Yes (2-day and next day tests) | PCR 3-5 day: $45 booking fee*; test billed to insurance, or free with SSN if no insurance
PCR 2-day: $200* PCR next day: $350* PCR same day: $800* Antigen: $199* Antibody: $45 booking fee*; test billed to insurance, or free with SSN if no insurance |
| Urgent Care Center of Arlington | 571-210-3161
M-F: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. |
Viral PCR
Antigen |
No doctor order needed | Yes | Spanish | Yes | Visit (required): Copay or $150
PCR or Antigen: $50 |
| Xpress Care | 703-521-2121
M-F: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. |
Viral PCR
Antibody |
No doctor order needed | No | Spanish | Yes | PCR: $175
Antibody: $150 |
*Not covered by insurance; paid at time of test
Additional COVID-19 Testing Sites in the National Capital Region
- District of Columbia COVID-19 Testing Sites
- COVID-19 Testing in Maryland
- COVID-19 Testing Sites in Virginia
- CVS is offering no-cost COVID-19 testing options at select CVS Pharmacy stores*
At-Home COVID-19 Test Kits
Arlington County has compiled a list of at-home COVID-19 test kits that allow you to collect a sample for diagnostic testing at home. A diagnostic test tells you if you have a current infection by looking for parts of the virus itself.
Information on at-home COVID-19 test kits is available in the following languages: English | Español | አማርኛ | العربية | Монгол | বাংলা | Pусский | 中文 | 한국어 | ไทย | Tiếng Việt
| Name of Test | Eligibility/Requirements | Collection Method | Advertised Time for Results* | Out-of-Pocket Cost** |
| Clinical Reference Laboratory | Must have symptoms, exposure, or have been asked to get a test | Saliva | 48 hours | $110 |
| empowerDX | 18 years or older; Complete online screening | Nasal swab | 48 hours | $99 |
| EverlyWell | 18 years or older; Complete online screening | Nasal swab | 24-48 hours | $109 |
| Hims & Hers | 18 years or older; Complete online screening
Must have symptoms Consult with a provider |
Saliva | 3-5 days | $150 |
| LetsGetChecked | 18 years or older; Complete online screening | Nasal swab | 24-72 hours | $119 |
| P23 Labs | Complete online screening | Saliva | 48-72 hours | $75-$100 depending on shipping option |
| Phosphorous
Available for in-store pick-up at select Safeway Pharmacies |
Must have symptoms
After purchasing, complete online screening, which will be reviewed/approved by a physician |
Saliva | 72 hours | $140 + $15 or $40 shipping |
| Picture | 18 years or older; Complete online screening | Nasal swab | 48 hours | $119 |
| Pixel by LabCorp | 18 years or older; Complete online screening
Must have symptoms or have been asked to get tested by a healthcare provider, public health department, or contact investigator |
Nasal swab | 24-48 hours | LabCorp will bill insurance or use federal funds. Or, pay $119 out-of-pocket |
| QuestDirect | 18 years or older; Complete online screening
Must have symptoms, exposure, or have been asked to get tested by an employer, public health department, contact investigator, or healthcare provider |
Nasal swab | 24-48 hours | $129 + $9.30 physician fee |
| Vault | Complete online screening
Sample collection observed during Zoom video call. Language interpretation available. |
Saliva | 48-72 hours | $119 |
| Vitagene | Must have symptoms or exposure; Complete online screening | Saliva | 72 hours | $129 |
*Advertised wait time for the patient/customer. Time for test company/lab to submit result to the Health Department may differ.
**Pay out-of-pocket and submit for reimbursement
Information compiled by Arlington County Public Health Division is only current as of December 3, 2020. Please confirm specific details with each testing company as it may change over time.
Some tests may be available from other suppliers.
The presence of these links does not imply, and should not be interpreted as endorsement, sanction, approval or authorization of these sites or their content. Arlington County Government makes no guarantee or warranty, expressed or implied, concerning the content or accuracy of any material on any external website links.
What to Do After Testing
Individuals who visit collection sites are encouraged to follow the instructions of their health care provider and self-quarantine while they await their results. Test results will be available to the patient within five to seven business days.
If you test positive for COVID-19, see CDC’s guidance: If You Are Sick or Caring for Someone.
Anyone who is confirmed via lab testing with COVID-19 is investigated and monitored by the County’s Health Department:
- The health department conducts a “contact investigation” to identify additional people who came in close contact with individuals in order to decrease the spread of the illness. Those close contacts will be self-quarantined and actively monitored for fever and respiratory symptoms. If close contacts start experiencing symptoms, they will immediately be tested.
- The health department routinely conducts contact investigations for other communicable diseases like measles and tuberculosis–and now, COVID-19–to determine who is at high risk for exposure to stop the spread of the disease.
Virginia Department of Health: What to do if you have confirmed or suspected coronavirus disease (COVID-19)?
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.