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COVID-19 Testing & Self-care
Find COVID-19 Testing
Mail Order Testing Kits
- Order Free COVID-19 Tests Online: Visit covidtests.gov, where each household may order free at-home COVID-19 tests delivered through the U.S. Postal Service.
Community Testing Providers
- Visit the Virginia Department of Health's website to find COVID-19 testing locations in Loudoun County and Northern Virginia, including one-day testing events. Enter your locality in the search field to find locations near you.
Regional Testing Centers
- The Virginia Department of Health has established regional community testing centers in Fairfax and Prince William Counties. Both centers operate by appointment only.
About COVID-19 Testing
PCR and Antigen (rapid) Tests
Antibody Testing
- Antibody tests check for antibodies, which can show if an individual had a past infection with the virus that causes COVID-19.
- Learn more about antibody testing from the CDC.
At-Home Tests
- COVID-19 at-home tests, also called self-tests, are easy to use and produce rapid results. Many brands of COVID-19 home tests are available for purchase at pharmacies and other retailers.
- Learn more about at-home tests from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- People who have symptoms of COVID-19.
- People not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 who have had close contact with someone with confirmed COVID-19 or who have taken part in activities that put them at higher risk for COVID-19, such as attending large social or mass gatherings, or being in crowded indoor settings.
- People not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 who have been asked or referred to get testing by their school, workplace, healthcare provider or local health department.
- If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and are not able to get tested, inform your close contacts and continue to follow preventive measures recommend by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), such as frequent hand washing, avoiding crowds and staying at least 6 feet away from other people.
- Use the CDC's COVID-19 Viral Testing Tool to help determine if you should get a COVID-19 test and what type of test you should get. When test results are available, the tool can help interpret the results and guide next steps.
Will the Health Department contact me if I get a positive COVID-19 test?
- You may receive a text from the Loudoun County Health Department letting you know your test results are available. If you would like a follow-up call from the Loudoun County Health Department you can request it using a link in the text you receive.
- If you test positive for COVID-19 as a result of a county-sponsored event or other testing event where results are sent to a lab, you may also receive a text message from the Virginia Department of health providing you links to guidance on isolation, quarantine, and how to notify your close contacts.
- Read more about what to do if you tested positive or were exposed to COVID-19.
Slow the Spread of COVID-19
It is important to know the symptoms of COVID-19, what to do if you become sick or think you have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19.
Symptoms
COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person.
- Symptoms can include fever (100.4°F/38°C or higher), cough, trouble breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and new loss of taste or smell.
- According to the CDC, illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death. Symptoms may appear 2–14 days after exposure.
- Persons can be infected with COVID-19 and pose a risk to others without noticing any symptoms.
- Older adults and people of any age with serious underlying medical conditions may be at higher risk for more serious complications from COVID-19. Seek care early.
Self-care Tools
What to Do if You are Sick
If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or think you have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19, follow these instructions to self-monitor illness and to inform close contacts when becoming ill.
- If you develop COVID-19 symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your doctor or an urgent care center to discuss.
- Find a COVID-19 Testing location using the Virginia Department of Health Locator Map.
- Note: Loudoun County Health Department clinics do not provide testing or evaluate ill individuals.
- Stay home. Avoid contact with others, do not share personal items, and use a separate bedroom and bathroom, if possible.
- Monitor your health. Call 911 if you develop trouble breathing, pain or pressure in the chest, confusion, or bluish lips or face.
- Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth when around other people.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of your elbow.
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
- Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces every day.
- Inform close contacts.
What to Do if You Have Been Exposed to COVID-19
Follow the CDC guidelines for isolation and quarantine, which vary based on vaccination status.
- Read the December 27, 2021 CDC Update on isolation and quarantine periods.
- Learn more about isolation and quarantine from the CDC and what to do if you think you were exposed to COVID-19 from the Virginia Department of Health.
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Receive COVID-19 updates from Loudoun County
- Text LCCOVID19 to 888777 to receive text alerts from Loudoun County about COVID-19
- Text STOP to 888777 to unsubscribe
- Sign up for email and text updates on COVID-19 in Notify Me, Blogs category
Contact us with Questions
- Email the Loudoun County Health Department
- Call the Health Department's COVID-19 information line: 703-737-8300
- Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (except county holidays)
- Call the Virginia Department of Health’s COVID-19 hotline: 877-VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682)
- Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Text LCCOVID19 to 888777 to receive text alerts from Loudoun County about COVID-19