Frequently Asked Questions
When should I get tested?
If you have
COVID-19 symptoms, even mild, you should get tested.
If you have had close contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19, talk to your healthcare provider about how soon to get tested. It is recommended that individuals who have had close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case get tested 5 to 8 days after last exposure. Getting tested too soon may result in a false negative result.
See
additional testing criteria.
How much does testing cost?
Testing is available at no cost to most individuals.
- If you are testing for reasons other than being a close contact to a COVID-19 case or having symptoms of COVID-19, contact your insurance provider prior to visiting a testing site. The cost for testing in lieu of complying with a vaccination mandate or testing for travel may not be covered by your insurance company.
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If you have insurance, your insurance will be billed for the cost of the test. You must provide insurance information for billing purposes when you schedule an appointment.
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If you do not have insurance, you can be tested at no cost to you through a federal program administered through the Federal Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA). You will need to attest to your absence of insurance and enroll in this program that covers all testing and treatment costs related to COVID-19.
What testing method should I use?
A nasal specimen requires wiping the inside of each nostril for fifteen seconds (sing "Happy Birthday") with a polyester nasal swab. Nasal swab collections can be used for people with symptoms (even mild symptoms) and people without symptoms who meet testing criteria. For information on how nasal specimens are collected, click
here.
Saliva collection involves salivating into a container. It is primarily recommended for people with moderate or severe symptoms at time of testing. Individuals seeking saliva testing should
not eat, drink, chew gum, or put anything in their mouths for at least 1 hour prior to their appointment. This includes any food, any drink (including water and coffee), mints, candies, gum, lozenges, tobacco products, etc. For information on how saliva specimens are collected, click
here .
How will I get my test results?
If you provided an email address when you registered online for your appointment: You will receive an email from Test Directly informing you as soon as your results are ready from Northwest Laboratory. The email will direct you as to how to access your results.
View this information sheet on what to do after you get tested and accessing test results.
Please log in to: https://www.TestDirectly.com/patient/report and insert your unique order ID, access key, and date of birth to download the report.
If you have any issues with this process, please call Kitsap Public Health District at (360) 728-2235.
How long will it take to get my test results?
Results are typically available within 3 to 4 days (72 to 96 hours) of your test. Results may take longer due to high testing volumes at the lab or other unforeseen circumstances.
What should I do while I wait for my test results?
Stay home and limit your contact with other people. For more information, click
here.
View this information sheet on what to do after you get tested and accessing test results.
What do I do after I get my test results?
If you test positive for COVID-19: Stay home except to get medical care. Someone from your local health department will call you to conduct a public health interview. If you live in Kitsap County, someone from Kitsap Public Health District will call you. For more information, click
here.
If you test negative for COVID-19: You probably were not infectious at the time your sample was collected; however,
that does not mean you are not early in your infection and will not get sick. It is possible that you were very early in your infection (the viral "incubation period") when your sample was collected and that
you could test positive later.
If you have COVID-19-like symptoms, you should stay home until your symptoms have resolved. If you have a fever, stay home until you have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications. If your symptoms worsen, you should consider repeat testing and see your healthcare provider.
Where should I go if I want to learn more about getting health insurance?
Peninsula Community Health Services provides assistance in enrolling in qualified health plans, Apple Health, and Medicare. For Apple Health and qualified health plans, call (360) 377-3776. For assistance with Medicare, call (360) 475-3095.
Washington Health Benefit Exchange Customer Support Center assists individuals with enrolling in qualified health plans and can be reached at 1-855-923-4633.
Washington Healthcare Authority assists individuals with enrolling in Apple Health and can be reached at 1-800-562-3022.
Additional Resources
Kitsap Public Health District
Kitsap Public Health District COVID-19 Webpage
Washington State Department of Health
COVID-19 Testing Webpage
Information sheets:
You have confirmed or suspected COVID-19
You were potentially exposed to someone with confirmed COVID-19
You have symptoms of COVID-19
