Our Services / COVID-19 Testing

Who should get tested for COVID-19?

Information and guidance on COVID-19 often shift as researchers learn more about the disease and its variants. Understanding when to get tested isn’t always clear, and many people are confused about when and how to get screened. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, several factors determine whether you or a loved one needs to be tested for a COVID-19 infection. If any of the following apply, call Old Greenbelt Family Health to schedule a screening visit: 

• Close contact with someone who tested positive. (Wait five days after exposure.)
• Not current on COVID-19 vaccines, priority status for community screening,
• Asked to get tested by your school or place of employment
• Need testing to meet travel restrictions

It’s also important to come in for COVID-19 testing if you’re experiencing symptoms of the disease. 

What are the symptoms of COVID-19? 

Recognizing the symptoms can help you know when to get screened for COVID-19. Some of the signs of a coronavirus infection are:

• Fever and chills
• Headache
• Muscle or body aches
• Fatigue
• Runny or congested nose
• Diarrhea
• Nausea or vomiting
• Shortness of breath
• New loss of taste or smell

As you can see, many of these symptoms are also common with a cold or the flu. If you’re feeling unwell, getting screened is essential not only for your health but also to slow the disease's spread throughout the community. 

What kind of COVID-19 testing is available?

Old Greenbelt Family Health offers polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for COVID-19. This molecular test searches for signs of the genetic material within the COVID-19 virus. It can even detect fragments of the virus from just a small sample of cells. 

Getting a PCR test is a simple and painless process. A swab gathers cells inside your nose or sinus cavity and is sealed in a tube and examined in a laboratory. All genetic material is extracted from the swab, and a mix of chemicals and enzymes helps the genetic material replicate very quickly. 

If COVID-19 genetic material is present, one of the chemicals creates a fluorescent light, which the PCR equipment can detect. Software processes the information received from the PCR equipment to determine if an infection is present. 

You receive your results within 24 hours. If you test positive for COVID-19, self-care and isolation may be all that’s needed to support your body as you fight off the infection. You have the support of your practitioner at Old Greenbelt Family Health as you recover. 

If you need COVID-19 testing, call the office to set up a visit. Online booking is available for less urgent scheduling needs.