About COVID-19 Testing

We recommend you get tested for COVID-19 if you have respiratory symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19. Home-based testing by antigen is increasingly the most convenient way to test for COVID-19.

Starting at the end of September 2024, residential households in the U.S. can order four home rapid antigen COVID-19 tests for free. There is a limit of one order per address. You can order these tests online at COVIDTests.gov.

You can buy home COVID-19 tests at many retail pharmacies or online. Below are some options to pick up or order COVID-19 tests:

• COVID-19 Testing Resources – Search by State | CDC
• At Home COVID Test Kit | CVS Pharmacy
• COVID-19 Testing & Locations | Walgreens Find Care
• COVID-19 Tests - Amazon.com
• We also have community vans that offer limited COVID-19 tests on select days and times; no appointment needed. Please view the schedule for when we will be in your neighborhood.

If you use a home testing kit and test positive, you have COVID-19. You do not need a PCR test for confirmation. Please stay home and away from others until:

• Your symptoms have been getting better for 24 hours AND

• You have not had a fever for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil).

If you have respiratory symptoms, you should stay home and away from others until:

• Your symptoms have been getting better for 24 hours AND

• You have not had a fever for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil).

If you have no symptoms, you do not need to stay home and away from others.

High-risk conditions for severe COVID-19 include undergoing treatment for cancer, currently taking medications for transplant, or immunosuppressant medications for other conditions. Other high-risk conditions, including having chronic lung, kidney, or liver disease; diabetes; HIV; obesity; and age 65 years or older, may predispose you to worse symptoms from COVID-19 or influenza. The CDC has more information.

If you have one or more conditions that put you at high-risk for severe COVID-19, this may make you eligible for outpatient COVID-19 therapies if you get COVID.

• If you test positive, have mild symptoms, and have no risk factors for severe disease, stay home until:

  • Your symptoms have been getting better for 24 hours AND

  • You have not had a fever for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil).

• If you have moderate symptoms, call your doctor.

• If you have severe symptoms, go to the emergency room.

Read more about what you should do if you test positive >

• If you are at high risk for severe disease, then you should either contact your doctor’s office to ask about COVID-19 treatment or utilize free telehealth appointments available through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Appointments are available between 8 am and 10 pm.

• If you live in another state, including New Hampshire, you can use the national therapeutics locator to find locations.