Getting Tested
New York City has expanded testing capacity with hundreds of test sites existing across all five boroughs.
Mobile testing units will also be visiting locations across the five boroughs throughout the week. Click here for hours and locations.
You do not need insurance to get tested. Test sites run by New York State and NYC Health and Hospitals offer tests free of charge.
For test sites not run by the state, you are advised to check with the site as to whether there will be any testing fees.
Throughout the 2020-2021 school year, testing will be prioritized for all NYC Department of Education (DOE) and DOE-contracted employees, students, and affiliated child care networks at 22 Health and Hospitals locations. Click here for a list of DOE-priority testing sites and for more information about employee testing.
NYC Health and Hospitals has created a list of sites that offer COVID testing for children. Click here for more information.
SHOULD I GET TESTED FOR COVID-19?
ALL New Yorkers should get tested, regardless of symptoms or potential exposure.
If you have previously tested negative for COVID-19, you are encouraged to seek testing again if you:
More questions about testing? NYC has a hotline for information from the Department of Health. Call 311 or 1-888-364-3065 with any issues and you will be linked to someone who can answer your questions! You can also contact your primary care doctor.
For Undocumented Families: Seek testing if indicated (above), whether or not you plan to apply for documentation in the future! Public charge does not apply to COVID-19 testing and coverage. Read more here.
If you test positive for COVID-19, you will be contacted by a Tracer who will assist in:
You can find out more information about the Test and Trace Corps here.
Mobile testing units will also be visiting locations across the five boroughs throughout the week. Click here for hours and locations.
You do not need insurance to get tested. Test sites run by New York State and NYC Health and Hospitals offer tests free of charge.
For test sites not run by the state, you are advised to check with the site as to whether there will be any testing fees.
Throughout the 2020-2021 school year, testing will be prioritized for all NYC Department of Education (DOE) and DOE-contracted employees, students, and affiliated child care networks at 22 Health and Hospitals locations. Click here for a list of DOE-priority testing sites and for more information about employee testing.
NYC Health and Hospitals has created a list of sites that offer COVID testing for children. Click here for more information.
SHOULD I GET TESTED FOR COVID-19?
ALL New Yorkers should get tested, regardless of symptoms or potential exposure.
If you have previously tested negative for COVID-19, you are encouraged to seek testing again if you:
- Experience COVID-19 symptoms such as cough, fever, shortness of breath, or loss of smell
- Have spent time in a large crowd, such as at a protest
- Come in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19
- Have concern about any potential exposure to COVID-19
- Work in a residential setting such as an assisted living home or shelter
- Work as a first responder or healthcare worker
More questions about testing? NYC has a hotline for information from the Department of Health. Call 311 or 1-888-364-3065 with any issues and you will be linked to someone who can answer your questions! You can also contact your primary care doctor.
For Undocumented Families: Seek testing if indicated (above), whether or not you plan to apply for documentation in the future! Public charge does not apply to COVID-19 testing and coverage. Read more here.
CONTACT TRACING
If you test positive for COVID-19, you will be contacted by a Tracer who will assist in:
- Identifying people with whom you have recently had contact
- Supporting you to self-isolate
- Connecting you to any necessary medical services
You can find out more information about the Test and Trace Corps here.
TESTING SITES IN NYC
Find a COVID-19 testing facility: Click here to find the testing facility closest to you! Testing is free, regardless of insurance status, and testing is not a public charge.
Walk-in Facilities: No appointment needed
NYC Health and Hospitals and City MD offer many walk-in test sites across New York City communities. Follow the links to see hours and locations of these facilities.
NYC Hospitals: For severe cases
If you are experiencing severe symptoms and think that you may need to be admitted to the hospital, you can get tested at the hospital. Click here for a list of NYC hospitals.
If you are very sick (experiencing severe shortness of breath, chest pain, acute injury, or other emergent symptoms) or have pre-existing health problems requiring immediate attention, don’t be afraid to call 911 and/or come into the Emergency Room. The medical team is there to care for you.
ANTIBODY TESTING
What is the antibody test?
The purpose of the antibody test is to determine if you have previously had COVID-19. A positive antibody test means that proteins that fight COVID-19 have been detected in your blood.
Who should get the antibody test?
- Anyone who does not currently have COVID-19 symptoms
- Anyone who has not been sick in the past 2 weeks
- Anyone who has not tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 2 weeks
Where can I get the antibody test?
Free antibody testing is available on a walk-in basis at 11 NYC Health and Hospitals acute care facilities. Click here to see their locations.
Walk-in antibody testing is also available at a number of Gotham Community Health Center locations. Click here for more information.
The website was developed as a service provided by medical students in New York City.
This website provides selected information available about a range of disease topics. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that consumers rely on the advice of a health care professional to employ good clinical judgment for the specific conditions of individual patients. This information is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a health care professional, or a recommendation for any particular treatment plan. External sites are not necessarily endorsed by the medical students who created this website.