Coronavirus and Covid-19 Testing in Tallahassee – FREE By-Mail Testing!

Tallahassee and Leon County Residents can get free Covid-19 / Coronavirus testing via mail through Pixel by LabCorp!

Initially, this at-home test was limited to frontline healthcare workers and first responders. But now it is available to all individuals who meet the screening criteria for COVID-19 testing. This includes high risk, those showing symptoms and those that may have been exposed.

Here is how to get your free test:

• GO HERE and register for a free account.
• You will need to verify your email. Click on the link in the email they send.
• Then click on “Our Tests” at the top of THIS PAGE 
• Scroll all the way to the bottom until you see this test…
  
• Click on “Get Started”
• On the next page, describe your status, choose from Severe, Mild, None
• Fill out the forms and complete checkout. No credit card required.
• Your test will be mailed within 24 hours via FEDEX overnight.

Follow the instructions in the testing kit they send and you will get your results in just a few days.

Details about Covid-19 Testing:

• What should I do if someone in my household may have been exposed to COVID-19?  The Florida Department of Health has guidance.  Learn more.
• Should I get tested for COVID-19 and how should I get tested? The Florida Department of Health has guidance. Learn more.
• Call, do not visit, your county’s department of health or health care provider. It’s IMPORTANT to call ahead before visiting your health department or health care provider. Offices must take proper steps to avoid further spread of COVID-19 when a concerned patient arrives for a medical appointment.
• How is testing done? A person who is tested may have specimens taken via:oral, nasal and saliva depending on the testing site and tests available. Samples will be given to the health department and from there, shipped or delivered to the closest laboratory.
• What are the symptoms of COVID-19? Symptoms of COVID-19 may appear 2-14 days after exposure and can include fever, cough, or shortness of breath. Some people infected with the virus have reported experiencing other non-respiratory symptoms. Other people, referred to as asymptomatic cases, have experienced no symptoms at all. The CDC’s Self-Checker bot can help you make decisions about seeking appropriate medical care. Click here and open the self-checker tool. People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. The CDC has added the following new symptoms:
  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea
• What are the symptoms of COVID-19 in pedriatric patients? Pediatric patients with COVID-19 may experience the following signs or symptoms over the course of the disease:
  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Nasal congestion or rhinorrhea
  • Sore throat
  • Shortness of breath
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Myalgia
  • Poor feeding or poor appetite
• Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children- The CDC is collaborating with domestic and international partners to investigate reports of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19. CDC and partners are working to better understand this new syndrome, including how common it is and its risk factors, and to begin tracking cases. For more information, click here.

Free Community Drive-Up Testing in Tallahassee

• FAMU-Bond Covid-19 Testing Site at Bragg Stadium (1500 Wahnish Way Tallahassee, FL 32307)
  • UPDATE: Testing at the site is extended with no established end date but will be closed on Sundays starting Sunday, June 21.The site is open from at 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday. The site accommodates walk-ups, but patients are encouraged to book appointments by calling the Leon County Health Department at (850) 404-6399. Testing is free and open to the public. For more information about the testing site at FAMU Bragg Memorial Stadium, click here. 
  • Test results are available in 3-5 days. In addition, test results can be accessed online by clicking here. 
  • FDOH launched a mobile application for walk-up patients to submit their names and mobile numbers so as to later that day be notified when they can report for a sample collection. The reservation system will help patients beat the heat by waiting in their cars with air conditioning, and also limit any possible transmission when queuing in lines. The system complements the by-phone reservation process.

OTHER TESTING OPTIONS

• Patients First (1705 Mahan Drive Tallahassee, FL 32308)
  • Patients First has opened a testing location at 1705 Mahan Drive with the following hours: Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Patients may be tested without referral and may be symptomatic or not.
  • Appointments are required. Find more information and schedule an appointment at the Patients First site HERE. Rapid testing is available with results in 20 minutes. The standard COVID-19 test which is more reliable than the rapid test is also available, and results typically take about three to five days.
  • Testing fees may apply at Patients First. The fee is $175 for uninsured patients; they do not accept CHP. Please contact Patients First at (850) 877-7164 to discuss payment information.
• CVS Pharmacy (two locations only) [Symptomatic Patients only]
• 1708 North Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32303
• 5466 Thomasville Road North, Tallahassee, FL 32312
  • CVS is offering testing at their pharmacies. It is free for uninsured patients. Patients must register in advance at CVS.com.
  • The test is available only to those who are symptomatic.
  • You may be asked to administer your own test.
• Your Primary Care Provider
  • If you have a primary care provider, call your doctor’s office to ask about getting testing. Most primary care offices are providing testing in their office.
• TMH Transition Center
  • If you do not have a doctor, need help getting one, or need help accessing a test you can call the TMH Transition Center at (850) 431-4470.
• Pixel by LabCorp COVID-19 (At-Home Test Kit) 
  • Originally approved in late April, at that time the at-home collection kit was only available to healthcare workers and first responders. Recently, that restriction was lifted and now LabCorp has made the COVID-19 collection kit available broadly. This at-home collection kit comes at no cost to those with CHP, other insurance policies, and the uninsured (federal CARES money defrays the cost). More here.  FAQs here.

CAPITAL HEALTH PLAN MEMBERS

• Members who are seeking a COVID-19 test should contact their Primary Care Physician.
• If you are a Capital Health Plan (CHP) member, there is no co-pay for COVID-19 testing.
• All CHP members will be offered a COVID-19 test during their scheduled wellness visit.
• Individuals that are NOT symptomatic may be tested in the doctor’s office. Individuals that are exhibiting symptoms will be directed to a designated CHP location for testing.

For more information from CHP, click here.  Contact Capital Health Plan by clicking here. 

For assistance with receiving your test results, please contact the County Health Department at (850) 404-6300, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

COVID-19 Antibody Testing for Tallahassee

Patients First is offering antibody testing for individuals that currently have no symptoms of the virus (fever, cough, shortness of breath, etc.) Click here for more information.

OneBlood is testing all blood donations for the COVID-19 antibody. The antibody test is authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and will indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to the virus, regardless of whether they ever showed symptoms. Appointments to donate are required. Masks are required to be worn by all blood donors. A mask will be provided if you do not have one. Click here to make an appointment.

The CDC has more information about antibody testing, click here to view.

For questions about antibody testing, please contact the Florida Department of health 24/7 COVID-19 call center at (866) 779-6121. Leon County residents can also call the County Health Department at (850) 404-6300, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.