COVID-19 Testing, Care, and the Vaccine

When should I test for COVID-19?

• When you have symptoms. Isolate and test as soon as symptoms appear.
• When you have been exposed to someone with symptoms or who tested positive for COVID-19.  Plan to take precautions for 10 days. You should get tested 5 or 6 days after you were exposed, and then again 2 or 3 days later.
• Just to know your status before or after a high-risk event, like going to an event with a lot of people, or traveling, or before a medical procedure.

Erie PCR Testing

Erie Family Health Centers is able to provide COVID-19 PCR testing for current Erie patients, with or without symptoms.

• Testing is available same day or next day. You will receive your results within 2 to 4 business days.
• Call Erie at 312-666-3494 to schedule a COVID-19 test. We are currently experiencing a high call volume and increased hold times, particularly on Monday mornings and during lunchtime.
• Please make sure that Erie has your current email address and phone number when you make your appointment. The best way to receive test results from Erie is through email!
• In 4 business days, please check both your email inbox and junk folder for an email from news@eriefamilyhealth.org. Do not send email to this email address.
• If you are pregnant or your child is under 1 year old and your COVID result is positive, you will receive a call from Erie. All other positive results will be sent via email within 2 to 4 business days.
• If your COVID-19 test is negative, you will receive an email or text message within 2 to 4 business days.
• If you need a return to work, school, or daycare letter and did not receive one at the time of your appointment, please call us at 312-666-3494.

As you wait for your test results, it is important that you make sure you don’t get other people sick. Please read more here about what to do while you wait for results.

You most likely will not have to pay for your COVID-19 test.

• If you do not have insurance, there should be no cost for a COVID-19 test.
• The cost for a COVID-19 test is covered under most health insurance plans, including Medicaid.  If you have commercial insurance, please check to see if your plan covers COVID-19 testing.

If you test positive for COVID, have symptoms, and are 65+ and unvaccinated, please call Erie.

I have symptoms of COVID-19 infection

Some symptoms of COVID-19 infection are:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath/Difficulty breathing
• Sore throat
• Loss of taste or smell
• Chills
• Body aches
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Nasal congestion/runny nose

If you have symptoms, plan to isolate while you wait for your test results.

If you were exposed to COVID-19, review the quarantine guidance under the section I was exposed.

If you currently have or have had any of these symptoms in the last two weeks, a negative test result does not mean that you do not have COVID-19. It is possible that it was a false negative.

• Please review the quarantine guidance under the section I tested negative but I have symptoms.

If your symptoms are getting worse, especially if you have difficulty breathing, please call your medical provider. If you are an Erie patient please call us at 312-666-3494 to let us know.

I was exposed to COVID-19

Quarantine & Test Guidance
If you were exposed to COVID, quarantine. Plan to take precautions for 10 days. The best time to test depends on whether or not you have symptoms. If you do not have symptoms:

If you develop symptoms at any point take a test and stay home. If you test positive, isolate and review our guidance on testing positive.

Note: These are the CDC’s recommendations. However, your job or school might have different rules for how long you need to quarantine if you were exposed to COVID-19, so you should check with them.

I tested negative, but I have symptoms of COVID-19

Quarantine Guidance
If you have symptoms of COVID-19, but tested negative, Erie recommends that you STAY HOME from work, school or daycare (quarantine) until ALL of these things are true:

• You have gone 24 hours without a fever without the use of medicines to reduce fever like Tylenol or Ibuprofen
• You feel an improvement in symptoms (note: symptoms do not need to be completely gone)
• You meet the criteria for return to work or school per your school/daycare/employer policies

Once all of these things are true, AND if you have not been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19, you should be able to return to work, school, or daycare.

Notes:

If you have symptoms and a negative test result, it can be a good idea to re-test 1-2 days after your first test.

If you have no symptoms when you took the test, and later get symptoms, you should test again when your symptoms appear.

Your job or school might have different rules for how long you need to stay home if you have symptoms, so you should check with them.

Children under 2 years of age or any individuals who are unable to consistently wear a high quality/well-fitted mask must quarantine for a full 10 days and cannot leave isolation earlier than 10 days.

I tested positive for COVID-19

Isolation Guidance
If you test positive for COVID-19, isolate.

Everyone, regardless of symptoms or vaccination status should

• Stay home for 5 full days
• If possible, avoid contact with others in your household during this time. If not possible, everyone in your household should wear a mask.

IF, after DAY 5,

• You have no symptoms OR
• Your symptoms are getting better, AND 24 hours have passed without a fever (without the use of medicines to reduce fever like Tylenol or Ibuprofen),

THEN, you can leave your home with a mask on the following day. Continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others for 5 additional days.

IF, after DAY 5, your symptoms do not improve, stay home until symptoms are improved.

Example of how to count days if you have symptoms:
The first day of your symptoms is DAY 0. Start counting the days 1 FULL day AFTER your symptoms first start.

• John has symptoms of COVID-19.
• His symptoms started on January 1.
• January 1 is symptom DAY 0.
• January 2 is symptom DAY 1.
• By January 6 (DAY 5 of symptoms), John's symptoms have improved, so he can return to work 24 hours later on January 7 (DAY 6). If you had a fever, wait 24 hours after your fever ends before you leave home.

NOTE: If you have no symptoms when you took the test, and later develop symptoms, you should isolate for 5 days after symptoms start.

Note: These are the CDC’s recommendations. However, your job or school might have different rules for how long you need to stay home if you test positive, so you should check with them. 

I was not exposed to COVID-19

If you were not near someone with COVID-19 and never felt sick, your negative test result means you did not have COVID-19 on the date of your test.

I got tested before a procedure

If you feel well but were tested ahead of your delivery or dental appointment, no further follow-up is needed. Your negative test will be in your medical record for your future healthcare needs.