COVID Testing
Beginning September 25, every U.S. household can again place an order to receive four more free COVID-19 rapid tests delivered directly to their home: covidtests.gov
Before You Throw Out "Expired" Tests:
Check to see if your COVID-19 tests' expiration dates have been extended.
At-home rapid antigen and lab-based PCR tests are still widely available in Chicago.
Get your test in any of the following places:
At Home
Self-tests can be taken at home or anywhere, are easy to use, and produce rapid results. Self-tests are available in many pharmacies, stores, and online. Call or check online before heading to the store.
Your Healthcare Provider
Contact your health care provider or medical home, especially if you are sick or think you have been exposed to COVID-19.
Community Health Centers
If you don’t have a doctor or insurance, contact your nearest community health center to get free or low-cost testing and health care.
Pharmacies
Visit these pharmacies’ websites or call and ask about low or no-cost testing:
- CVS Health
- Local independent pharmacies
- Walgreens
- Walmart in partnership with Quest Diagnostics
ICATT: Increased Community Access to Testing
ICATT provides fair and just access to COVID-19 testing by focusing on communities at a greater risk of being impacted by the pandemic, people without health insurance, and surge testing in state and local jurisdictions.
People who are experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 are prioritized.
When To Get Tested
- People who have symptoms of COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status or prior infection
- People who were exposed to COVID-19 and do not have symptoms, wait at least 5 full days after exposure before testing
- Consider testing before contact with someone at high risk for severe COVID-19
Get tested immediately if you have symptoms of COVID-19, and isolate until you know your results, even if you are fully vaccinated.
If you test positive:
- You should stay home for 5 days, regardless of your vaccination status.
- After 5 days, if your symptoms are improving and you’ve been fever-free for 24 hours without medication, you can leave your home, but you should continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days and avoid contact with high-risk people.
- You may remove your mask after day 6 and sooner than day 10 if you test negative on two sequential rapid antigen tests 48 hours apart.
- If you have a fever or are still feeling sick, continue to stay home until 24 hours after your fever resolves and symptoms improve.
- If your symptoms worsen, seek immediate attention from a healthcare provider.
If you have no symptoms, but have had contact with someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, you should also get tested and protect others as follows:
- If you have had confirmed or suspected close contact with someone who has COVID-19, instead of quarantine, you should wear a mask for 10 days around others in indoor settings and take a COVID-19 test five days after the exposure, or sooner if you develop symptoms.
- For additional information, please see the CDC's latest guidance on isolation and quarantine.
How to Find a COVID-19 Testing Site
Click the images below to download the full pdf:
Questions about COVID-19 testing?
Call the CDPH COVID-19 Hotline at 312.746.4835.
