Important update: Healthcare facilities
CDC has updated select ways to operate healthcare systems effectively in response to COVID-19 vaccination. Learn more
To maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others, get vaccinated as soon as you can and wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission.
UPDATE
Given new evidence on the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant, CDC has updated the guidance for fully vaccinated people. CDC recommends universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status. Children should return to full-time in-person learning in the fall with layered prevention strategies in place.

Testing

Testing
Updated June 11, 2021
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Smithsonian Testing

Testing

Protect yourself and others. Wear a mask, wash hands often, stay 6ft from others.

Who should be tested?

What if my self-test is positive? Find out what to do.

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Coronavirus Self-Checker
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Coronavirus Self-Checker is a tool to help you make decisions on when to seek testing and appropriate medical care.

Get the Tool
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COVID-19 Viral Testing Tool

A tool to help you understand COVID-19 testing options. The tool helps individuals determine what type of test they should seek. After test results are in, the tool can help interpret test results and guide next steps.

Get Started

The COVID-19 Viral Testing Tool is an interactive web tool designed to help both healthcare providers and individuals understand COVID-19 testing options. This tool helps healthcare providers quickly access the most relevant, actionable information to determine what type(s) of COVID-19 testing they should recommend to patients. The tool helps individuals determine what type of test they should seek. After test results are in, the tool can help interpret test results and guide next steps. 

The online, mobile-friendly tool asks a series of questions, and provides recommended actions and resources based on the user’s responses. 

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For Healthcare Professionals

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For Health Departments

Digital Resources
Viral test for COVID-19
Viral Test for COVID-19

Two kinds of tests are available for COVID-19. A viral test may tell you if you have a current infection with the virus that causes COVID-19.

What your test results mean

What Your Test Results Mean pdf icon[142 KB, 1 page]

If you test positive, stay home. If you test negative, take steps to prevent getting sick.