If you think you have coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) or have been exposed to someone who was confirmed to have the disease, contact your health care provider or visit one of the testing sites listed here.
Here are more things to know about testing:
- Each week, about 10,000 COVID-19 PCR tests are done in the Fairfax Health District. During the week of Aug. 16, 2020, 10,750 PCR tests were collected. That’s substantial, but not the whole picture of COVID-19 diagnosis in our community. For individuals who do become infected and seek medical care, their medical provider may make a diagnosis based on symptoms (for example, loss of smell and lives with someone already diagnosed with COVID-19) and exposure history and not conduct a test.
- Percent positivity has waxed and waned.
The percentage of positive COVID tests in August has fluctuated between 5.2% and 5.8%. With restrictions easing up as part of the phased reopening, people are more mobile than during earlier phases of the pandemic when stay-at-home orders were in place so there are more opportunities for exposure.
To keep COVID-19 cases down, everyone needs to continue social distancing, wear a mask, wash hands frequently, consult their healthcare provider if they develop symptoms, and to follow all public health recommendations if contacted by the health department and identified as a close contact to a confirmed case.
Find more information on the COVID-19 data dashboard.
- The time it takes to get COVID-19 test results varies. It could take from 1 to 7 days or sometimes longer to get your result.
- While waiting for results, stay away from others, especially people who are at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19, such as older adults and people with other medical conditions.
Learn more about what to do while waiting for your COVID-19-test result.
There are more than 30 places in the Fairfax community offering COVID-19 tests, including locations that do not require a doctor’s referral or an appointment. The Fairfax County Health Department can also assist people in getting a test if they are deemed a close contact of a case.