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Coronavirus Testing

March 27, 2020 – Philadelphia, PA

Who Should Get Tested?

  • People over the age of 50
  • People with medical conditions that might increase the severity of the infection, including diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, kidney disease or immunocompromising conditions
  • People who live or work in a facility with other people (nursing home, college dormitory, prison, shelter)
  • Healthcare Workers

Who Doesn’t Need a Test?

  • People who don’t have COVID-19 symptoms including no fever, or cough and no shortness of breath.
  • People with only fever and mild cough. You must have both symptoms in order to be tested.

Where Can Someone Get Tested?

  • Start with your regular medical provider or the hospital system. Contact them so they can evaluate whether testing is appropriate for you.
  • Penn Medicine: call COVID-19 Hotline at (267) 785-8585
  • Jefferson
  • Temple Patient Triage Hotline: call (215) 707-6999
  • Einstein Hospital: call (800) 346-7834
  • Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia: call (800) 879-2467
  • Mercy Health COVID-19 Hotline: call (833) 247-1258
  • Mainline Health Contact Center: call (866) 225-5654
  • PHMC
  • City Health Center: call (215) 685-2933
  • Many Federally Qualified Health Centers and other clinics also offer testing. Call before going to the clinic for testing.
  • If you are not able to get tested through your medical provider, you can be tested at a public drive-through testing site at the following locations:
  • Citizens Bank Park
    • Hours: Daily from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
    • To be tested here, you must have symptoms of a fever and new onset of cough AND be either over 50 or a health care worker.
    • No appointment needed, expect waits.
  • Rite Aid, 7401 Ogontz Ave., 19138
    • Hours: Daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    • To be tested here, you must be a healthcare worker or a first responder. You do not need to have symptoms.
    • No appointment needed, expect waits.
    • 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 to the patient.
    • Note that these sites ONLY perform testing. If you have a worsening symptoms please seek medical attention from your primary care provider, an urgent care clinic, or a hospital emergency department.
    • When traveling to a testing site, wear a surgical mask or scarf over your nose and mouth.

What to do with results?

  • Results take 2-6 days to receive. During that time, get rest, stay indoors and stay hydrated.
  • Monitor symptoms. If shortness of breath or other symptoms worsen, contact your medical provider or seek emergency treatment.

Source: City of Philadelphia