COVID-19 Testing

Call (806) 378-6300 to speak to a Public Health operator about testing.

Amarillo Public Health does not ask about documentation status or require a Social Security Number to be tested for COVID-19.

When to Get Tested for COVID-19

Key times to get tested:

  • If you have symptoms, test immediately.

  • If you were exposed to COVID-19 and do not have symptoms, wait at least 5 full days after your exposure before testing. If you test too early, you may be more likely to get an inaccurate result.

  • If you are in certain high-risk settings, you may need to test as part of a screening testing program.

  • Consider testing before contact with someone at high risk for severe COVID-19, especially if you are in an area with a medium or high COVID-19 Community Level.

For guidance on using tests to determine which mitigations are recommended as you recover from COVID-19, go to Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19.

WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR COVID TEST RESULTS

If your test comes back POSITIVE

  • Isolate yourself for a minimum of 5 days to a room in your home away from other household members. A room with an attached bathroom works best. 

    • MODERATE ILLNESS FROM COVID & TESTED POSITIVE  

      • Isolate for the FULL 10 days or more.   

    • SEVERE ILLNESS/HOSPITALIZED (FROM COVID) /IMMUNOCOMPROMISED & TESTED POSITIVE  

      • Isolate for the FULL 10 days. Can be recommended to isolate for up to 20 days depending on severity.   

      • Speak to your primary care doctor. 

    • If asymptomatic:  

      • Day 0 is the day persons were tested (not the day received positive result).  

      • Day 1 is first full day following the day you were tested.  

        • If you develop symptoms within 10 days of when you were tested, the clock restarts at day 0 on the day of symptom onset.   

    • If symptomatic:  

      • Day 0 of isolation is the day of symptom onset, regardless of when persons were tested.  

      • Day 1 is first full day after the day symptoms started.   

      • After person has ended isolation, if their COVID-19 symptoms recur or worsen, restart their isolation at day 0. Talk to Health Care Practitioner if you have questions about your symptoms or when to end isolation.   

        • Do not allow anyone to come into your home unless it is medically necessary 

        • Wear a MASK for 5 additional days after isolation. 

        • If you are unable to wear a mask, you are then required to stay home and isolate for the full 10 days 

        • Do not share dishes, towels, or bedding with others 

        • Seek medical care outside the home as necessary but should call ahead 

        • Notify your primary care doctor if you haven’t already 

  • Early treatment: Currently the first line of treatment for those with high-risk conditions is oral antiviral agents. These oral agents can be prescribed only if you have had symptoms for 5 days or less. Test soon, treat early. 

  • When to seek emergency medical attention: 

    • Trouble breathing 

    • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest 

    • New confusion 

    • Inability to wake or stay awake 

    • Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds 

  • You can be with others if: 

    • Completed a minimum of 5 days in isolation AND 

      • At least 24 hours with no fever without fever-reducing medication and 

      • Other symptoms of COVID-19 are resolved 

      • (Some symptoms may not go away or change such as loss of taste or smell)  

      • Wear a mask around others for days 6-10. 

  • Children can return to school or daycare after 10 days 

Concerning your contacts and anyone who lives in the home with you 

Notify any contacts such as family, coworkers, schools, fellow church members, and friends you’ve been around 

  • from 48 hours prior to symptom onset 

  • for at least 15 minutes throughout the day  

  • less than 6 feet apart 

  • either party not wearing mask/or not wearing it properly 

    Tell your close contacts that they may have been exposed to COVID-19.  

An infected person can spread COVID-19 starting 48 hours (or 2 days) before the person has any symptoms.  

By letting your close contacts know they may have been exposed to COVID-19, you are helping to protect everyone. 

Guidance for close contacts 

Quarantine of exposed persons is no longer recommended, regardless of vaccination status.  

      • Mask while inside your home or indoors in public spaces

      • Mask for a full 10 days

        • Day 0 is the day of last exposure

        • Day 1 is the first full day of masking

      • Monitor for symptoms

      • Test on day 6

        • If the test is negative:

          • Continue masking through the 10 days

          • Continue monitoring for symptoms

        • If the test is positive:

          • Follow CDC COVID-19 positive isolation guidelines

Next Steps after COVID

  • Once it has been at least 5 days and you are symptom free for one day - Get your COVID-19 vaccine.

  • Continue to wear a mask, socially distance and other precautions

If your test comes back NEGATIVE

A negative COVID-19 test means the test did not detect the virus, but this doesn’t rule out that you could have an infection. If you used an antigen test, see FDA instructions on repeat testing.

  • If you have symptoms:

    • You may have COVID-19, but tested before the virus was detectable, or you may have another illness.

    • Take general public health precautions to prevent spreading an illness to others.

    • Contact a healthcare provider if you have any questions about your test result or if your symptoms worsen.

  • If you do not have symptoms, but were exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19, you should continue to take recommended steps after exposure.

  • If you do not have symptoms and you have not been exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19, you may return to normal activities.