COVID-19 Testing in New Hanover County
If you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, follow the CDC’s Isolation guidance and use their quick calculator to determine if you need to isolate or take other steps to prevent spreading COVID-19.
COVID-19 testing is available throughout New Hanover County through local healthcare providers, pharmacies, and other organizations.
If you need a COVID-19 test, you can visit NCDHHS.gov/GetTested to find the closest testing site near you.
Free at-home COVID testing kits are available for pickup at the Pandemic Operations Center, Monday to Friday, 9 – 5.
For additional information or resources:
- Call the NHC Pandemic Operations Call Center at 910-798-6601
If you have symptoms that could be COVID-19, you should test immediately.
If you have been around someone that tests positive for COVID-19 but do not have symptoms, you should start taking precautions like, wearing a face covering, and test 5 days after your exposure.
Certain high-risk environments may require a test as a screening process.
Consider testing before you are going to be around someone that is at high risk of developing severe illness from COVID-19.
COVID-19 symptoms may include:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fever
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
COVID-19 testing is available throughout New Hanover County through local healthcare providers, pharmacies, and other organizations. Call the New Hanover County Pandemic Operations Call Center at 910-798-6601, or visit NCDHHS.gov/GetTested to enter your address and find the closest testing site near you.
If you have COVID-19 or are sick and believe you could have COVID-19 you should follow current CDC isolation guidelines regardless of your vaccination status.
If your COVID-19 test is negative
- You can end isolation.
If you test positive for COVID-19 and do not have symptoms
- Day 0 is the day you take your test and day 1 is the first full day after you take the test.
- If you do not develop symptoms you may end isolation after 5 days.
- If you develop symptoms within 10 days of your test, the isolation clock resets to 0 on the day symptoms start.
If you test positive for COVID-19 and have symptoms
- Day 0 is the day your symptoms started regardless of when you test.
During Isolation
- Stay home and stay separated from others in your home for at least 5 days.
- Wear a high-quality, well fitting mask if you must be around others in your home.
- Improve ventilation in the home, if possible.
- Use a separate bathroom, if possible.
- Do not share household items such as towels and dishes.
- Be aware of your symptoms and seek emergency medical care if needed.
- Do not travel.
Ending Isolation
If you did not have symptoms, you can end isolation after day 5.
If you have symptoms, you can end isolation after at least 5 days and when you are fever free for 24 hours without medication and your symptoms are improving.
If you experienced moderate or severe illness, or have a weakened immune system, isolate for 10 days or until advised by your medical provider.
Wearing a face covering
After isolation, wear a well-fitting, high-quality face covering when indoors around others at home or in public through day 10 or until you have two negative antigen tests, 48 hours apart.