As COVID-19 continues to circulate in our community, it’s important to know when, where and how to get tested. Testing helps to find people who are positive for COVID-19; those individuals can then take important steps to stop the spread of COVID-19 to others in their homes and our community.
Slow the Spread of COVID-19: A Guide to Testing Locations
The Virginia Department of Health has published an online map that lists testing locations in Loudoun County and throughout Northern Virginia. If you need to be tested,
find COVID-19 testing sites online.
In addition, Loudoun County has published a four-page flyer to help you understand the steps involved in getting a COVID-19 test as well as find testing locations near you. Download, print, and share the guide with others.
Types of Tests
- Diagnostic testing is the throat or mouth swab to test whether someone is infectious with a current COVID-19 infection.
- Antibody testing checks for antibodies, which can show if an individual had a past infection of the virus that causes COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not know yet if having COVID-19 antibodies can protect someone from getting infected again or, if they do, how long this protection might last.
Who Should Get Tested
If you have COVID-19 symptoms, you should be tested. COVID-19 symptoms include fever or chills; cough; shortness of breath or difficulty breathing; fatigue; muscle or body aches; headache; new loss of taste or smell; sore throat; congestion or runny nose; nausea or vomiting; and diarrhea.
If you or someone you know has shortness of breath, pressure in the chest, confusion or inability to arouse, or bluish lips or face, call 911.
Anyone who has had significant exposure to someone who was confirmed to have COVID-19 should also get tested, even if they do not have COVID-19 symptoms.
You can use the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s self-checker or the
Virginia Department of Health’s COVIDCHECK to help make decisions on when to call your doctor or seek appropriate medical care regarding COVID-19.
How to Get Tested
- Call your primary care provider - Your doctor or health care provider will make an appointment for you to be screened in person or online. To protect others, do not visit your doctor or clinic without calling ahead first.
- If you don’t have a primary care provider or if you don’t have insurance, there are still options for testing. Search online or contact one of the providers listed in the Loudoun County COVID-19 Testing Guide: English (PDF) | Spanish (PDF)
When Will I Get My Test Results?
You will be notified when your results are available, which may take several days. While you are waiting for your test results, take the steps below to avoid spreading your infection to others.
- 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 face covering that covers your nose and mouth when around other people.
- If not wearing a face covering, always 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.
- Do not leave home until fever-free for 72 hours (without the help of medication) AND at least 7 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
- Inform close contacts. Talk to everyone who has been within 6 feet for more than a few minutes while you were sick, including the 48 hours BEFORE you developed symptoms. Encourage them to stay home for 14 days and provide them the following guidance for those who had close contact with someone who is sick.
If You Had Close Contact with Someone Who is Sick
Stay home for 14 days since you last interacted with the ill individual. Avoid contact with others even though you may feel well. Do not share personal items, and use a separate bedroom and bathroom, if possible.
If you become sick, stay home, keep your distance from others, and inform close contacts you are sick.
Loudoun County Encourages Residents to Stay Informed about COVID-19.
- Visit loudoun.gov/coronavirus for more information about how to protect yourself and your family and to sign up for email and text updates on COVID-19.
- Opt in to receive text messages:
English: Text LCCOVID19 to 888777
Spanish: Text LCCOVIDESP to 88877
Residents with questions about COVID-19 may call the Loudoun County Health Department’s information line, 703-737-8300, or
send an email.