When? 5-7 days after exposure.

Because of the incubation period of Covid -19, testing immediately after an exposure is not useful. On day one after exposure, the false negative rate is almost 100%. By day four after exposure, the false negative rate drops to 67%, still very inaccurate. It's important to get tested at the optimal time, which is 5-7 days after exposure.  That said, the incubation period can be as long as 14 days, hence the recommendation to self quarantine and monitor a full two weeks after exposure. A lot depends on the sensitivity of the test, however this has been improving and frequency of testing, even when less sensitive, may be a way out of pandemic calamity. On average, symptoms develop 5-6 days after exposure, however, as we all know, people can be completely infected, contagious, and have no signs of it. This is why you should not make decisions about activities or contacts based on a negative test taken shortly after exposure. Want to visit someone after flying? Self quarantine for 14 days first. 

Where? You have options.

As the Covid-19 pandemic has progressed, finding available Covid-19 tests in the Tampa Bay Area has become easier and easier (luckily!).  Insight Life Care offers three different testing options for our patients, all of which are done in the comfort of your home:

1. Saliva test with two day turnaround: $75.00. If you have insurance, you can submit and invoice for reimbursement. 

2. Blood fingerstick with four day turnaround: $175.00 This test also gives you antibody results. If you have insurance, you can submit and invoice for reimbursement. 

3. A tech comes to your house and does either a saliva or nasal swab. This option has a one day turnaround and will be billed directly to your insurance.

There are also many county, state, and independently run testing centers. The following information was taken from Tampa Bay Times' October 7th article "Where to get a coronavirus test in the Tampa Bay area." Click here to read the article.

Hours

Appointments required. The call center is open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Locations

Suncoast Community Health Centers, 313 S. Lakewood Drive, Brandon

Wimauma Opportunity Center, 5128 SR 674

University of South Florida Health Therapy Building, 3515 E Fletcher Avenue

Requirements

You must make an appointment in advance either online at www.hcflgov.net/covidtesting or call the county’s main information line at (813) 272-5900. Anyone who wants to get tested can get a test. The test is free. No doctor’s referral is needed, and insurance is not required.

Hours

8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Days vary based on site.

Locations

Lee Davis Community Resource Center, 3402 N 22nd Street, Tampa. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Raymond James Stadium, 4201 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa. Tuesday through Saturday.

Requirements

Testing is done on a first-come, first-served basis. The sites can accommodate some pedestrians, but in-vehicle testing is preferred. Identification and contact information will be requested. Tests are free, and no insurance is required.

Hours

8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., daily.

Locations

Main terminal of Tampa International Airport, 4100 George J Bean Parkway, Tampa.

Requirements

People must provide proof of travel within three days, such as a boarding pass or airline receipt. The “gold standard” polymerase chain reaction test costs $125 and provides results in about 48 hours. The antigen test can be processed onsite in less than an hour and costs $57.

Hours

Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Location

Location provided once appointment is scheduled

Requirements

An appointment is required and can be made by calling 727-824-6900. The test is free to patients, regardless of insurance.

Hours

5 to 8 p.m., Thursdays. Also on Tuesdays in Pinellas Park.

Locations

707 East Druid Road, Clearwater

7550 43rd Street North, Pinellas Park

Requirements

Appointments are not required, but can be made calling 727-824-8181 and selecting option 0 or visiting www.chcpinellas.org

Hours

8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Location

Tropicana Field Parking Lot 2, located on the west side of the stadium off 16th Street S, St. Petersburg.

Requirements

You need not be a Pinellas resident to get tested and no insurance information is necessary. Identification and a phone number will be requested. No appointments are being taken. Testing will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Hours

Daily. Hours vary by location.

Location

Lincoln Park, 501 17th Street East, Palmetto. 7-11:30 a.m. and 12:30-4 p.m.

100 Cattlemen Road, Saraosta. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Requirements

Testing is available to anyone older than 18, regardless of symptoms, and is free to the public.

Hours

The sites typically operate from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., based on appointments.

Locations

CVS offers testing at dozens of its locations throughout Tampa Bay, including in Bradenton, Brandon, Clearwater, Dunedin, Lakeland, Largo, Lutz, Madeira Beach, Oldsmar, Pinellas Park, St. Petersburg, Tampa and Tarpon Springs. People can choose a location once they’ve completed an online screening.

Requirements

CVS is making testing available to anyone experiencing symptoms who meets the requirements listed on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Patients must first book appointments by visiting CVS.com. The Tampa Bay stores have the capacity to test up to 50 people a day. All testing will take place inside a person’s car. No walk-ups will be accepted and no testing will take place inside stores.

Hours

Mornings, Monday through Friday. The Clearwater site is only open Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Locations

Pasco: Gulfview Square Mall, 9409 U.S. Highway 19, Port Richey. 8 to 11 a.m.

Pinellas: Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater. 7 to 10 a.m.

Requirements

A doctor’s referral is encouraged. If not, you will be screened while in line to see if you meet requirements from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For patients without insurance, the cost of the COVID-19 lab test is $85. Payment is not due at testing. BayCare is working with government agencies to secure funding for patients that are unable to pay.

Hours

8 a.m. to 7 p.m. No appointment needed.

Locations

408 E Brandon Blvd., Brandon

26812 US Highway 19 N, Clearwater

3700 US-98 S, Lakeland

13610 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, Tampa

More locations available.

Hours

8 a.m. to 8 p.m. You must make an appointment online.

Locations

799 W Lumsden Rd, Brandon

303 W Palm Ave, Tampa

11406 US-301, Riverview

3301 W Gandy Blvd, Tampa

4505 Gunn Hwy, Tampa

564 Channelside Dr, Tampa

More locations available.