The Health Department recommends testing for people with fever and cough or shortness of breath if symptoms are severe or worsening, and for those with symptoms who:
- Are over age 50.
- Have medical conditions that might increase the severity of the infection, including diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, kidney disease or immunocompromising conditions.
- Live in a facility with other people (nursing home, college dormitory, prison, shelter).
- Are healthcare workers.
Who does not need a test?
- People who do not have symptoms of COVID-19 (no fever, or cough, or shortness of breath).
- People with only fever and mild cough.
- People who are otherwise healthy and are not feeling short of breath or experiencing worsening cough and fever. People who are sick but do not need testing should stay at home away from other people until their symptoms are better.
Where can someone get tested?
If you think you should be tested for COVID-19:
- Start with your regular medical provider or the hospital system where you last received medical care. Call or contact them over the internet so that a medical professional can evaluate whether testing is appropriate for you.
o Penn Medicine: call COVID-19 Hotline at 267-785-8585 or go to their website.
o Jefferson: use JeffConnect for a virtual doctor’s visit and testing referral if indicated or go to their website.
o Temple Patient Triage Hotline at 215-707-6999 or go to their website.
o Einstein Hospital 800-346-7834 or go to their website.
o Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia 1-800-879-2467 or go to their website.
o Mercy Health COVID-19 Hotline 1-833-247-1258.
o Mainline Health Contact Center 1.866.225.5654 or go to their website.
o PHMC website.
o City Health Center patients can call 215-685-2933.
o Many Federally Qualified Health Centers and other clinics also offer testing. Call before going to the clinic.
- If you are not able to get tested through your medical provider, have symptoms of a fever and new onset of cough, and are either over 50 or a health care worker, you can be tested at the drive-through testing site at Citizens Bank Park. Testing is available daily from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
o No appointment is needed but expect to wait.o Bring your driver’s license and insurance card (if you have one). Persons will NOT be turned away due to lack of insurance or documentation, and the test will be done at no-cost.
You can read: What is allowed to be done under the stay at home order?
o Note that this site ONLY performs testing. If you have worsening cough, shortness of breath, or fever over 101 for more than 3 days, please seek medical attention from your primary care provider, an urgent care clinic, or a hospital emergency department (call in advance to tell them you have symptoms so they can prepare and wear a mask if possible).
o When traveling to the testing site, wear a surgical mask over your nose and mouth. If you do not have a surgical mask, wear a scarf over your nose and mouth.
What should I do while I am waiting for my test results?
- Depending on what laboratory performs your test, it may take 2-6 days to learn your results. During that time, get rest, stay hydrated and stay at home, away from all people while you have symptoms.
- Monitor for symptoms – if you feel short of breath or have a worsening cough or persistent fever (over 101 for more than 3 days or over 100.4 for more than 5 days), call your doctor or go to a hospital emergency department.
• If you must be near other people, wear a surgical mask over your nose and mouth.
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