Screening and testing

You should consider a COVID-19 test if you have:

• symptoms of COVID-19
• had close contact (within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes) with someone with confirmed COVID-19
• been asked or referred to get testing by your health care provider or your local or state health department.

If you’ve been exposed to COVID-19 or suspect you may have it, we know you want answers fast. But we want to make sure you get the right test for the right condition—and we don’t want you to be tested unnecessarily. COVID-19 symptoms are similar to other illnesses including flu and strep, so a care provider will determine if a test is right for you.

With your provider’s recommendation, you can get tested in one of two ways:

1. At an in-person appointment, you can receive a test immediately as part of your appointment.
2. Following a virtual evaluation, your care team can direct you to one of our convenient locations for your test.

Positive Test Results
If your COVID-19 test result is positive you will be contacted via phone. If you are not able to be reached by phone, a detailed message with the result will be left.

Negative Test Results
Negative COVID-19 test results will be sent via your Allina Health account (MyChart). If you do not have an Allina Health account (or MyChart) your results will be sent via mail. Mailed results may take an additional 4-5 business days.

While you are waiting, you should self-quarantine/isolate at home until you get your test results and follow the advice of your health care provider.

If you have a positive COVID-19 test:

• Stay home except to get medical care.
  • You should stay home until your symptoms go away.
  • If you need medical care, call your health are provider before you go in to be seen. You can also schedule a virtual visit.
• Separate yourself from other people.
  • As much as possible, stay away from other people and pets in your home.
  • If possible, stay in a specific room and use a separate bathroom.
  • Do not share food or personal household items.
  • Wear a mask when you are around other people and if you need medical care.
• Monitor your symptoms.
  • Get rest and stay hydrated. Take over-the-counter medicines to help you feel better.
  • Call your health care provider if your symptoms are getting worse. Tell them that you were tested for COVID-19 and the result was positive. Your health care provider will give you instructions on what to do if you need to be seen.

Learn more about what to do if you have COVID-19 at cdc.gov. If you have any questions or concerns, please call your health care provider.

When you have a respiratory virus infection, like COVID-19, you can spread it to others.  If you have respiratory virus symptoms, that aren’t better explained by another cause, you should stay home and away from others – including people you live with who are not sick.

You can go back to your normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both are true:

• your symptoms are getting better overall, and
• you have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).

When you return to your normal activities, take added precautions over the next 5 days, such as taking additional steps for cleaner air, hygiene, masks, physical distancing and/or testing when you will be around other people indoors.

Keep in mind that you may still be able to spread the virus that made you sick, even if you are feeling better. If you develop a fever or start to feel worse after you have gone back to normal activities, stay home and away from others until, for at least 24 hours, you are fever-free and your symptoms are improving. Then take added precautions for the next 5 days.

How long someone can spread the virus depends on different factors, including how sick they are (severity) and how long their illness lasts (duration), This is not the same for everyone.

More information about preventing the spread of respiratory viruses can be found on the CDC website.

If you have a negative COVID-19 test result, you probably were not infected at the time your sample was collected. The test result only means that you did not have COVID-19 at the time of testing. Continue to take steps to protect yourself.

If you have any questions or concerns, or develop COVID-19 symptoms, please call your health care provider.