Who can get tested for coronavirus?
Testing criteria varies by site, but most prioritize medical workers; first responders and the elderly; or those with underlying conditions, recent travel or exposure to someone with a confirmed positive case. People presenting common symptoms such as fever and a dry cough are also prioritized.
Can people without symptoms get tested?
Testing for those without any symptoms is becoming more widely available and is recommended for those who have been exposed to someone with a positive or potentially positive case of the coronavirus.
What is antibody testing?
An antibody test identifies someone who may have previously carried the virus and developed an immune response to it. These help identify those with presumed immunity but do not diagnose the presence of COVID-19.
What happens when someone receives a positive result?
Those with manageable symptoms should stay home and avoid all person-to-person contact until symptoms subside, Persse said. Health care providers can monitor symptoms remotely and determine when a patient has returned to health. Those who have come in contact with that person may be able to seek out testing at certain sites, even prior to their test results coming in. If conditions worsen, Persse said to seek medical advice and call ahead if going to an emergency department.
How much does the coronavirus test cost?
Tests administered through Harris County and the city of Houston are free. Tests offered by private providers are paid through insurance or out-of-pocket payment. Some sites operated though public-private partnerships or at federally qualified health centers also offer free tests for those without health insurance. For payment and testing access questions, residents are encouraged to contact their primary care physicians or local coronavirus hotlines.
- City of Houston: 832-393-4220
- Brazoria County: 979-864-2167
- Fort Bend County: 281-633-7795
- Galveston County: 409-978-4040
- Harris County: 832-927-7575
- Montgomery County: 936‐523‐5040
- Waller County: 979-826-6063
For more sites outside of Houston as well as walk-up sites, view the Texas Department of Human Services database here.
Free public testing sites
Houston Health DepartmentThe department runs two drive-thru testing sites open to anyone, regardless of symptoms. Those interested in getting tested can call the department to receive an access code and directions.
This week the department will also offer testing at Bussey Elementary, 11555 Airline Drive, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. July 14-17. It will also open a one-day testing site July 18 at Collins Elementary, 9829 Town Park Drive, from 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
832-393-4220
www.houstonemergency.org/covid19
Harris County Department of Health
Cost: free
Prescreening required
832-927-7575
www.checkforcorona.com
Texas Division of Emergency Management
Cost: Free
Prescreening/appointment required
Sinclair Elementary School, 6410 Grovewood Lane,
Eden Event Center, 7450 N. Wayside
Crosby Community Center, 409 Hare Road, Crosby
Crump Stadium, 12321 High Star Dr.,
HCC-Northeast Campus, 555 Community College Dr., and
HCC – South Campus, 1990 Airport Blvd.
TDEM and the Houston Health Department also operate a walk-up site that does not require appointments at the Merfish Teen Center, 9000 S. Rice Ave., Sunday through Friday from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
512-883-2400
www.txcovidtest.org | http://texas.curativeinc.com
United Memorial Medical Center
Cost: free
Prescreening required
United Memorial Medical Center, 501 Tidwell Road, Houston
Forest Brook Middle School, 7525 Tidwell Road, Houston
Cullen Middle School, 6900 Scott St., Houston
Griggs School, 801 Regional Park Drive, Houston
1-866-333-COVID
www.ummcscreening.com
Federally Qualified Health Centers
Cost: FQHC patients pay what they can afford, based on income and family size
Individuals can call the following locations to set up testing appointments:
Hope Clinic, 713-773-0803
Community Health Network, Scarsdale Family Health Center, 281-824-1480
Spring Branch Community Health Center, 713-462-6565
El Centro de Corazon, 713-660-1880
Avenue 360 Health and Wellness, 713-426-0027
Lone Star Circle of Care at the University of Houston, 346-348-1200
Legacy Community Health: 832-548-5000
New York State
Cost: free
Appointment required
New York state set up walk-up sites open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday 8 a.m. to noon at two local churches:
Fallbrook Church, 12512 Walters Road, and
Higher Dimension Church, 9800 Club Creek Drive
Appointments are available by calling 1-833-697-4839.
Private clinic testing sites
WalgreensCost: free
Prescreening required
14531 Westheimer Road, Houston
800-925-4733
8301 Broadway St., Houston
800-925-4744
www.walgreens.com/findcare/covid19/testing
Walmart
Cost: free
Prescreening required
12353 FM 1960 Road W., Houston
5655 E, Sam Houston Parkway N., Houston
13003 Tomball Parkway, Houston
111 Yale St., Houston
3506 S. Hwy. 6, Houston
www.doineedacovid19test.com
CVS
Cost: free
Prescreening required
15010 Memorial Drive, Houston
1003 Richmond Ave., Houston
5402 Westheimer Road, Houston
2469 Bay Area Blvd., Clear Lake
5603 W. FM 1960, Houston
1000 Elgin St., Houston
6079 N. Hwy. 6, Houston
12601 Tomball Parkway, Tomball
11600 West FM 1960, Houston
5510 West Orem Drive, Houston,
19715 Tomball Parkway, Tomball
4150 North Shepherd Drive, Houston
5725 N. Eldridge Parkway, Houston
2828 Spears Road, Houston
4451 W. Fuqua Road, Houston
12502 Memorial Drive, Houston
www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing
Kroger
Cost: free through insurance
Prescreening required
Fifth Ward Multi-Service Center
4014 Market St., Houston
www.krogerhealth.com/covidtesting
My Family Doctor
Cost: free through insurance or $150 out of pocket, cash only
Prescreening not required
6430 Hillcroft Ave., Houston
832-709-1515
www.covid19drivethru.com
UT Physicians
Cost: free through insurance; some out-of-pocket charges may apply
Prescreening required
7364 Antoine Drive, Houston
www.utphysicians.com/covid19testing/
Life Savers ER
Cost: free through insurance, $150-$200 for uninsured
Prescreening required
3820 N. Shepherd Drive, Ste. A, Houston
281-612-1288
www.lifesaverer.com
NextCare Urgent Care
Cost: free
Prescreening required
10906 FM 1960, Houston
281-477-7490
1202 E. NASA Parkway, Clear Lake
281-335-0606
1331 Northpark Drive, Kingwood
281-359-5330
www.nextcare.com
SignatureCare Emergency Center
Bellaire: 5413 S Rice Ave., Houston
713-597-5897
Copperfield: 5835 Hwy. 6 N., Houston
281-861-0937
Cypress: 5003 Cypress Creek Parkway, Houston
281-720-3122
Heights: 1925 E. T. C. Jester Blvd, Houston
832-730-2628
Montrose: 1007 Westheimer Rd., Houston
281-479-3293
Memorial City: 1014 Wirt Rd. Houston
832-834-6414
Stafford: 3531 S. Main St. Stafford
281-962-4906
Westchase: 11103 Westheimer Road, Houston
832-708-3651
Westfield Urgent Care
Cost: free with insurance
Prescreening required
2010 FM 1960, Houston
281-821-8200
www.westfieldurgentcare.com
Clinicas Mi Doctor
Cost: free with insurance, $159 without insurance
Prescreening required
5402 Airline Drive, Houston
888-776-5252
8225 Broadway St., Houston
713-469-4735
10058 Long Point Road, Houston
832-380-3980
www.mdmedicalgroup.us/locations/clinicas-mi-doctor/
HOPE Clinic West
12121 Westheimer Road, Ste. 205
713-773-0803
www.hopechc.org