Monday, April 18, 2022

When to Get Tested for COVID-19

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CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC 24/7: Saving Lives, Protecting People
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
April 18, 2022
This message includes updates on the COVID-19 response from CDC. The COVID-19 Outbreak is a rapidly evolving situation and information will be updated as it becomes available.
illustration of COVID-19 self test

When to Get Tested for COVID-19

Get tested for COVID-19:
  • If you have COVID-19 symptoms
  • At least 5 days after known or suspected close contact to COVID-19
  • For screening (schools, workplaces, congregate settings, etc.)
  • Before and after travel
  • When asked by a healthcare professional or public health official
Attending an upcoming event or gathering? Reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 by getting tested as close to the event date as possible.

Self-tests are one of several options for testing for the virus that causes COVID-19 and may be more convenient than laboratory-based tests and point-of-care tests.

If you have had COVID-19 in the past 90 days and recovered, you do not need to be tested unless you develop new symptoms.

The Coronavirus Self-Checker is an interactive clinical assessment tool that can help you decide when to seek testing or medical care if you think you have COVID-19 or have come into close contact with someone who has COVID-19.

Vaccination Status, Up to date, Has completed primary series and one booster when eligible, Fully vaccinated, has been at least 2 weeks since receiving primary series, partially vaccinated, has not yet completed primary series, Not vaccinated, has received no covid-19 vaccines, risk of hospitalization, lowest risk of hospitalization, highest risk of hospitalization

Stay up to date with COVD-19 vaccinations

COVID-19 vaccines are effective at protecting people from getting seriously ill, being hospitalized, and even dying—especially people who are boosted.

As with vaccines for other diseases, you are protected best when you stay up to date. CDC recommends that everyone ages 5 years and older get their primary series of COVID-19 vaccine, and everyone ages 12 years and older also receive a booster.

A person is fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving all recommended doses in the primary series of their COVID-19 vaccination.

A person is up to date with their COVID-19 vaccination if they have received all recommended doses in the primary series and one booster when eligible. Some people can receive two boosters. Getting a second booster is not necessary to be considered up to date at this time.
illustration of COVID-19 vaccination card

Your COVID-19 vaccination card 

At your first vaccination appointment, you should get a CDC COVID-19 Vaccination card that tells you what COVID-19 vaccine you received, the date you received it, and where you received it.


Keep your CDC COVID-19 Vaccination card for future use. Consider taking a picture of your card after your vaccination appointment as a backup copy.


Bring your card to your appointment whenever you get an additional dose or booster so that your provider can fill in information about your shot.


If you have lost your CDC COVID-19 Vaccination card or don’t have a copy, contact your vaccination provider directly to request a vaccination card or to get a copy of your vaccination record.

New Edition Out Now! Friday, April 15, 2022 In this week's edition: Heart Health and Preventive Care

COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review

If you’ve delayed or avoided medical care during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s time to jump back in. Put “get a checkup” on your to-do list, especially if you’re at risk for heart disease. 

COVID-19 Community Levels

CDC uses COVID-19 Community Levels to determine the disease’s impact on counties and recommend prevention measures.


CDC also tracks cases, laboratory tests, vaccinations, deaths, and other pandemic data and provides them on our COVID Data Tracker.

U.S. map showing COVID-19 Community Levels

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

1600 Clifton Rd   Atlanta, GA 30329   1-800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636)   TTY: 888-232-6348
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