How to get tested for the coronavirus

Who can get tested? Anyone living in Bexar County is eligible. You no longer need to have symptoms of infection by the virus or a physician’s referral. But if testing capacity becomes limited, then who gets a test will be prioritized based on the guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. How to go about it? An appointment is required to get a test. People who believe that they have symptoms may call 311 and select option 8. Or use Metro Health’s “self screening” tool at sanantonio.gov and complete a short questionnaire to find out whether a test is recommended. Anyone wanting to sign up for a test can call 210-233-5970 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. seven days a week to register for one of the drive-thru sites. You also can register online at txcovidtesting.org/.

When and where? The San Antonio Pre-Approved Testing Center is conducting tests seven days a week at Freeman Coliseum, next to the AT&T Center. The testing center’s operating hours generally are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments are required. It is being operated by the South Texas Regional Advisory Council, which also has teamed up with Texas MedClinic on a drive-thru testing site at the company’s urgent care center at 2530 S.W. Military Drive. Its hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. In addition, drivethru testing sites have been added at 3201 E. Houston St. and 2530 S.W. Military Drive, which are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, and 8923 W. Military Drive, which is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Texas National Guard testing sites, including one on Eisenhauer

Road, require registration by phone at 512-883-2400 or online at txcovidtest.org.

What does it cost? The COVID-19 test is free, whether or not you have health insurance.

How long to get results? Generally, the wait is five to seven days.

Who else is testing? Walmart has set up a drive-thru testing site in the parking lot of its 8923 W. Military Drive location. There is no out-of-pocket cost and you do not have to have symptoms. Set up an appointment through eTrueNorth at doineedacovid19test.com. In addition, some hospitals, urgent care clinics and private medical providers offer testing, including those listed here. But a medical assessment may be required, and there may be fees involved. The cost could be covered by health insurance; check with the medical provider and your plan. Texas MedClinic is providing tests as part of a medical exam. Go to texasmedclinic.com/coronaviruscovid-19 or call one of its offices for more information or to set up an appointment. Alamo City Urgent Care offers testing at its sites as part of an office visit; go to alamocityuc.com. CommuniCare has testing for its established patients; go to communicaresa.org/covid19 or call 210-233-7000. MedPost Urgent Care offers evaluations and testing; go to carespot.com/medpost-urgentcare or call one of its offices.

If symptoms are severe? People with severe symptoms should seek immediate medical care. Sources: Metropolitan Health District, city of San Antonio, health care companies