COVID-19 Questions?

Call 614-645-1519

8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

(Closed Saturdays and Sundays)

 



COVID-19 Testing

Free COVID-19 testing is widely available at healthcare providers and pharmacies throughout central Ohio. Testing helps protect yourself, your loved ones and the community from the virus.

See a list of local COVID-19 testing providers here. 

Schedule an appointment through Columbus Public Health by calling 614-645-1519 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Who should get tested?

The CDC recommends you should get tested for COVID-19 if:

  • You have symptoms such as fever or chills, cough, difficulty breathing, sore throat, muscle or body aches, new loss of taste or smell, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea – regardless of vaccine status
  • You have had close contact (within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period) with someone with confirmed COVID-19.
  • You are unvaccinated and have taken part in activities that put them at higher risk for COVID-19 such as travel, attending large social or mass gatherings, or being in crowded indoor setting.

What do my results mean?

Residents of Columbus or Worthington who have tested positive for COVID-19 or who are close contacts of a positive case should take the following steps.

If you have tested positive: 

  • Isolate yourself immediately. Isolation periods are generally 10-20 days, depending on the severity of symptoms. Monitor your mail for a Notice of Isolation letter, then complete a case interview online or by phone following the instructions provided in the letter.
  • Stay home except to get medical care.
  • Let your employer know you have COVID-19.
  • Notify your close contacts so they can self-quarantine. 

Unvaccinated close contacts should:

  • Start quarantining right away.
  • Quarantine until 10 days have passed since the last contact to the person with COVID-19 as long as the close contact has not had any symptoms.
  • Stay home except to get medical care.
  • Monitor for symptoms. If symptoms develop, get tested.

Vaccinated close contacts should:

  • Wear a mask and monitor for symptoms for 14 days (do NOT need to quarantine).
  • Get tested 5-7 days after the last contact to the person with COVID-19.

Close contacts who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 3 months and recover do not need to quarantine or test as long as they do not develop new symptoms.

Click here to learn more.