COVID-19 PCR Test

You should get tested for COVID-19 if:

• you have COVID-19 symptoms
• you have been exposed to or been in close contact with a person who you know or suspect is infected with COVID-19
• close contact means within six feet for 15 minutes or more
• the COVID Alert NY app informs you that you’ve been exposed to the virus from close contact.
• you need to be screened for workplaces, schools, or events
• you are planning to travel or arriving from travel
• you are advised to get tested by a healthcare professional or a public health official

You should not wait to take a COVID-19 test after exposure to a known or suspected case, regardless of your vaccination status. You need to get tested at least 5 days after exposure or earlier if you have COVID symptoms.

Yes, there are at-home tests for COVID-19 that let you do the specimen collection yourself. For more accurate results from a healthcare professional, get tested at a testing center near you.

There are at-home tests for COVID-19. You can order free tests from COVIDtests.gov or from your local health department. Home COVID tests are also available in pharmacies, retail stores, and authorized online sellers.

COVID-19 PCR tests are accurate and are considered the gold standard for COVID testing. This type of test is more sensitive and is mostly processed by health professionals in a laboratory.

Rapid COVID-19 tests are accurate enough to detect the presence of the virus in symptomatic individuals. However, if it shows a negative result despite the presence of COVID-19 symptoms, an RT-PCR test is needed to confirm it.

COVID tests cannot determine which COVID-19 variants you have antibodies to. Besides, antibodies from previous COVID infections are not likely to protect you from any type of COVID variant.

It is not recommended to take antibody tests after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine to test for immunity. It is also not recommended for use to assess a person’s need for vaccination or quarantine.

If you’re planning a trip, it’s important to check with both your airline and your destination to understand what testing program they require travelers to follow. Around 72 hours prior to departure, or well before your day of travel, check again. Read up on airline notices, new regulations and entry requirements before driving to the airport to board domestic or international flights.

If you have no insurance, we provide our services without insurance for self-pay patients, giving you the care when you need it most.

There are at-home tests for COVID-19. You can order free tests from COVIDtests.gov or from your local health department. Home COVID tests are also available in pharmacies, retail stores, and authorized online sellers.

COVID-19 PCR tests are accurate and are considered the gold standard for COVID testing. This type of test is more sensitive and is mostly processed by health professionals in a laboratory.

It is not recommended to take antibody tests after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine to test for immunity. They are also not recommended for use to assess a person’s need for vaccination or quarantine.