Lucas County Community Testing & Therapeutic Treatments
- People who have symptoms of COVID-19.
- Most people who have had close contact (within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period) with someone with confirmed COVID-19.
- Fully vaccinated people should be tested 3-5 days following a known exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 and wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days or until they receive a negative test result.
- People who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 3 months and recovered do not need to get tested following an exposure as long as they do not develop new symptoms.
- Unvaccinated people who have taken part in activities that put them at higher risk for COVID-19 because they cannot physically distance as needed to avoid exposure, such as travel, attending large social or mass gatherings, or being in crowded or poorly-ventilated indoor settings.
- Testing is most appropriate for community members experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or with known exposure to a COVID-19 positive individual (What Your Test Result Means)
- The main symptoms of COVID-19 infection include: cough; shortness of breath; difficulty breathing; a new loss or change in your taste or smell.
- Other associated symptoms can include: fever (100.4 or higher); chills; fatigue; muscle or body aches; headache; sore throat; congestion or runny nose; nausea or vomiting; diarrhea.
- Visit the CDC's COVID-19 Symptoms Page for additional reported symptoms, information on when to seek emergency medial attention, and to use the CDC Symptom Self Checker.
- COVID-19 is Community Spread. This means means people have been infected with the virus in an area, including some individuals who are not sure how or where they became infected. The more people who share the same space as an infected individual, the more likely the virus will spread easier and faster to more people within the community.
- Along with facial coverings in public spaces, social distancing, and proper hand washing, testing and contact tracing are the best available tools to limit the spread of COVID-19.
- If you develop COVID symptoms (listed in "Who Should be Tested") or have known contact with a positive individual, you should consider getting tested.
- IMPORTANT: If you had recent exposure to a confirmed positive case, you must still self-quarantine for 14 days after the date of last exposure even if you test negative. This is because you may have tested too early for the virus to be detected. It typically takes 1-2 a minimum of days for the virus to cause illness that can be detected in infected individuals, but symptoms are known to appear anywhere between 2-14 days in infected individuals.
- So why should I get tested if I have symptoms?
- Infected individuals spread the virus most easily when they have active symptoms.
- If you do test positive for COVID-19 and have completed all isolation criteria, you will not need to quarantine or isolate again if exposed to another positive individual for at least 3 months following your positive test.
- TESTING TYPES:
- PCR / Molecular Tests:
- These tests detect the genetic material of the virus and are the best tests ("Gold Standard") for determining if an individual has a current COVID-19 infection.
- This is the type of test needed to clear individuals for work or school if they have symptoms but no exposure to a positive individual.
- Antigen Test:
- This type of test detects specific proteins on the surface of the virus. While this is a reliable diagnostic test, if you do not have symptoms or feel like you do not have COVID and receive a positive result, you may want to get a PCR test to confirm your diagnosis. This test cannot be used to clear you to return to work or school.
- Antibody Test:
- These tests detect antibodies made by your immune system to fight off an infection.
- They are used to determine if you had previous infection.
- PCR / Molecular Tests:
- COST:
- Call or visit the testing location websites to find out the cost for COVID-19 testing (some sites may require insurance information, some offer testing for little or no fee).
DEPARTMENT INFO
635 N. Erie St.
Toledo, OH 43604
419.213.4100
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