COVID-19 testing

Testing for respiratory viruses saves lives and helps people decide what to do next, like getting treatment to reduce risk of severe illness and taking steps to lower chances of spreading a virus to others. 

Guidance

If you have respiratory virus symptoms that are not better explained by another cause (such as allergies), get tested for COVID-19 right away, even if you're vaccinated. If you test positive, most treatments for COVID-19 must start within 5 days of feeling sick.

When to test

• If you feel sick. COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses have a wide range of symptoms, so if you’re not feeling well, it’s best to get tested as soon as possible.
• If you are exposed to someone who has COVID-19, seek testing 5 days after exposure regardless of vaccination status. If symptoms develop, do not wait 5 days and get tested immediately, or consider retesting if you have already been tested. See the Isolation and Quarantine page for detailed guidance.
• Before gathering with a large group of people, especially those who are at risk of severe disease or may not be up to date on their COVID-⁠19 vaccines.

Testing options

There are two main types of tests that can tell if you have COVID-19 or other Respiratory viruses:

• Healthcare providers can test for COVID-19, flu, or other respiratory viruses.
• COVID-19 self-tests. These are also sometimes called antigen, at-home, or rapid tests.

Self-testing

• Rapid self-tests, also called at-home tests or antigen tests, tell you if you have COVID‑19 in 15 to 30 minutes. They may miss early infection. If you have COVID‑19 symptoms and test negative, repeat your test in 24 to 48 hours.
• You can purchase self-tests at pharmacies, retail stores, or online. No insurance or prescription is required.
• Follow the instructions inside the self-test box for the most accurate results. Video instructions in other languages are available on our YouTube Playlist.
• Many brands of tests have extended their expiration dates. If your self-test has an expired date, go to Washington State Department of Health’s Rapid Antigen Test Date Extensions document (English only) to look up your brand of test. This document also explains how to check if your test is working properly.
• If you test positive using a self-test or are concerned you have a false positive, consider repeating testing (two negative tests in a row taken 24 hours to 48 hours apart). If your confirmation test is positive, continue to isolate from others for 5 days from when you initially tested positive or when your symptoms started.

Costs

• You can purchase self-tests at pharmacies, retail stores, or online. Some private health insurance companies may reimburse for at-home tests. Contact your insurance directly to verify your insurance coverage.
• Medicaid insurance covers at-home COVID-19 tests through September 2024. Other insurance providers are no longer required by federal law to cover COVID-19 testing but check with your independent health plan as coverage may vary.

Testing positive for COVID-19 or another respiratory virus

What to do:

• Stay home and away from others. You can go back to normal activities when both of the following have been true for at least 24 hours:
  • Your symptoms are getting better overall, and
  • You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).
• When you go back to your normal activities, wear a mask and take added precautions over the next 5 days, such as:
  • Taking steps to improve air flow and filtration (164 KB)
  • Practicing good hand hygiene
  • Cleaning regularly
  • Physical distancing
• If you are at higher risk from the disease, consider early treatment options. 
• Tell your close contacts and household members you have tested positive.
• Notify your employer or school. 
• For food or assistance while isolating or quarantining, visit Care Connect Washington or call or text the program hotline, 1-833-453-0336.

COVID-19 testing sites

Please contact our Community Health Access Program (CHAP) line at 1-800-756-5437 or by email at CHAP@kingcounty.gov for assistance on locating free or low-cost COVID-19 testing in King County.

Testing locations will ask you to provide your ID and insurance card (if you have insurance), but it is not required to be tested.