COVID-19 Testing
Contact your healthcare provider for testing
COVID-19 testing is usually ordered at the discretion of local health care providers. Public Health does not need to approve testing for COVID-19. Positive test results are immediately notifiable to Cowlitz County Health and Human Services; negative test results are not.
Most health care facilities now offer COVID-19 testing. People who are uninsured or do not have a health care provider can contact the Family Health Center to request testing. Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 should call their health care provider in advance so the facility can take steps to prevent exposing others.
A list of options for testing in Washington state are available on the Washington State Department of Health's COVID-19 testing locations webpage.
Free COVID-19 testing available in Cowlitz County through January!
Cowlitz County Health and Human Services is partnering with Medical Teams International to provide free drive-thru COVID-19 testing to people that live, work or go to school in Cowlitz County through January.
Testing will take place at the Cowlitz County Fairgrounds (1900 7th Ave, Longview, WA 98632) on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Drivers will be asked to enter the testing site through the 7th Avenue gate and exit through the Washington Street gate. Walk-ins are also welcome at the “Bicycle and Foot Traffic for COVID Testing Entrance” sign located on 7th Avenue.
Everyone who enters the testing site is asked to wear a face mask to lower the risk of spreading COVID-19.
No appointments are needed. Health insurance is not required, but proof of insurance is recommended in order to preserve grant funding for the uninsured.
Test results take up to five days to process and can be accessed online. People can also call (971) 762-8636 to speak with a member of Medical Teams International to get their results. Those who do test positive are advised to follow CCHHS guidance and self-isolate at home.
Printable version of the Free COVID-19 Testing Clinic flyer (English)
Printable version of the Free COVID-19 Testing Clinic flyer (Spanish)
Printable version of the Free COVID-19 Testing Clinic flyer (Russian)
Text Message Notifications
The state DOH is now text messaging every person in Washington State who tests positive for COVID-19. The text message includes a link to activate a verification code within the WA Notify exposure application.
Users can use the verification code to anonymously alert other WA Notify users who may have been exposed. CCHHS staff also provide the verification code for WA Notify through the case investigation process.
Anyone who receives the text message and isn’t using WA Notify can disregard it. In addition to receiving the text message, people who test positive for COVID-19 will continue to get a notification from a health care provider or testing facility.
Text messages will be sent seven days a week and approximately 24 hours after the test result is reported to the state DOH. To learn more, visit the state DOH’s webpage.
Testing Frequently Asked Questions
| Q: When can I get tested? |
A: You can get tested on Tuesdays and Wednesdays through January 2021. See the full schedule below:
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| Q: Where can I get tested? |
| A: The testing site is located at the Cowlitz County Fairgrounds (1900 7th Ave, Longview, WA 98632). Drivers will be guided to enter the test site through the 7th Avenue gate and exit through the Washington Street gate. |
| Q: Who can get tested? |
| A: This free clinic aims to serve people who live, work or go to school in Cowlitz County. However, we will provide a free COVID-19 test to anyone who arrives at test site. |
| Q: How much does testing cost? |
| A: COVID-19 tests administered at the clinic are offered at no cost. |
| Q: Do I need to make an appointment? |
| A: You do not need to make an appointment. |
| Q: Do I need health insurance? |
| A: You do not need health insurance. If you do have health insurance, we recommend bringing your insurance card in order to preserve grant funding for the uninsured. |
| Q: Should I stay in my car? |
| A: Yes. Drivers must remain in their vehicle at all times. |
| Q: What if I don’t have a car? |
| A: Walk-ins are welcome at the testing site. Look for the 'Bicycle and Foot Traffic for COVID Testing Entrance' sign on 7th Avenue. Staff will direct you from there. Plan to be outside in cold winter conditions and please wear a mask! |
| Q: Can I get a test for travel reasons? |
| A: Yes. However, you must follow the travel guidelines applicable at your destination. Some states only accept testing results from specific partners. |
| Q: Can I get tested if I don’t have symptoms? If I do get tested, do I need to quarantine until I get the results? |
| A: Yes, you can get tested without any symptoms. If you do not have symptoms and have not had a recent exposure that you know of, you do not have to quarantine while waiting for the results. |
| Q: Will there be long lines at the testing site? |
| A: Typically, the wait time is longer within the first hour of opening. For a shorter wait time, we recommend arriving 1-2 hours after the testing site opens. |
| Q: How will I get tested? |
| A: A medical professional will provide you with your own self-swab COVID-19 test that you will be asked to administer in your vehicle and return. |
| Q: How long will it take to get my test results? |
| A: The current estimate for test results is up to 5 days. |
| Q: How can I access my test results? |
| A: You will be given a 'QR code' to scan and check online. If you are unable to retrieve your results online, call (971) 762-8636 to speak with a member of Medical Teams International to get your test results. |
| Q: Will anyone follow-up with me after I get tested? |
| A: If you test positive, you will receive a call from Medical Teams International with additional guidance. If you test negative, you may not receive a call. |
| Q: Will test results be sent to healthcare providers? |
| A: No. Patients will need to reach out to their healthcare provider with their test results. |
| Q: Will patients be given work exclusion letters? |
| A: Work exclusion letters will not be provided. Patients will need to reach out to their healthcare provider for work exclusion letters. |
| Q: How many people can get tested in one day? |
| A: We estimate that we will be able to test approximately 150 individuals per day. |
| Q: Why is testing only available in January? |
| A: Increased testing capacity is made possible through a contract between the Washington State Department of Health and Medical Teams International as well as CARES Act funding received by CCHHS. |
| Q: Will the county offer more testing in the future? |
| A: We are working to get COVID-19 testing at some of our local pharmacies. We will post any new information as soon as it is available. |
| Q: Is there an age requirement? |
| A: No. All ages can receive a free COVID-19 test. |
| Q: How are you accommodating non-English speakers? |
| A: We can provide translated registration forms in the following languages: Spanish, Russian, Chuukese, Chinese (simplified and traditional), Khmer (Cambodian), Punjabi, Tagalog, Thai and Vietnamese. Additionally, a bilingual clinic worker who can speak English and Spanish will be on-site to provide assistance through December. |
| Q: Can I volunteer to help at the free COVID-19 clinics? |
A: We appreciate your interest, but cannot sign-up volunteers for these free clinics. Cowlitz County Health and Human Services partners with Region IV Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response to hire volunteers during public health emergencies. To learn how to volunteer for the Regional Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), visit this Clark County Public Health webpage. To learn how to volunteer through the Washington State Emergency Registry of Volunteers (WAserv), visit their webpage. |
| Q: Should I get tested for COVID-19 again? |
| A: If you test positive for COVID-19, you do not need to get tested again for at least 3 months. People who recover from COVID-19 can continue to test positive for up to 3 months even though they are no longer infectious. Read more from the CDC. |
| Q: I tested positive for COVID-19, isolated and recovered. Do I need to test negative to return to work or school? |
| A: You do not need to provide a negative COVID-19 test to return to work or school IF you did not require hospitalization and at least 10 days have passed since the start of your symptoms, resolution of your fever (for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications) and with improvement of other symptoms. |