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COVID-19 Testing Resources

Posted on: November 10, 2020 - 12:20pm

Testing is an important tool to help stop the spread of COVID-19.  Testing is available at a variety of locations, is free, can be obtained without an appointment at many locations, and at most locations is open to all Massachusetts residents.

You should get a test for COVID-19 if:

  • You develop any symptoms of COVID-19, even if they are mild, or
  • You are a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

  • If you develop symptoms of COVID-19, even if they are mild, please contact your healthcare provider and a test site near you to schedule a test. You can also check your symptoms online.
  • Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus and may include:
  • Fever, chills or shaking chills
  • Signs of a lower respiratory illness (e.g., cough, shortness of breath, lowered oxygen saturation)
  • Fatigue, sore throat, headache, body aches/myalgia, or new loss of sense of taste or smell
  • Other less common symptoms can include gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g. nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), rash, and inflammatory conditions such as “COVID toes”.
  • In elderly, chronically ill, or debilitated individuals such as residents of a long-term care facility, symptoms of COVID-19 may be subtle such as alterations in mental status or in blood glucose control

How do I know if I am a close contact of someone with COVID-19?

  • You are a close contact of a COVID-19 positive person if you were within 6 feet of them, for at least 10-15 minutes, while they were symptomatic or within the 48 hours before symptom onset.
  • You are also a close contact if you were within 6 feet for at least 10-15 minutes of someone who tested positive for COVID-19 in the 48 hours before their test was taken or anytime in the 10 days after the test.

Testing is available in the form of a "rapid" test which can provide preliminary results in as little as a few hours, or in the form of a "PCR" test which can provide results in 24-48-72 hours.

For more information about testing locations from the Board of Health, please click here: https://www.northreadingma.gov/health-department/webforms/covid-19-coron...