Testing for COVID-19 provides useful information that can help you decide what to do next, such as seek treatment and take precautions to avoid spreading the virus to your friends and family. 

Symptoms of COVID-19 may seem similar to the flu or RSV. If you are sick with symptoms of these respiratory illnesses, it is important to stay home and away from others.  

If your test is positive and you are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19, you can seek treatment to reduce your risk of severe illness and hospitalization. 

 

When should I take a COVID-19 test?

• If you feel sick with any COVID-like symptoms, take a COVID-19 test quickly -- particularly if you are someone who could benefit from treatment for respiratory viruses. 

• If you plan to be close to people who may be at high risk of severe illness if they get infected, or who may not be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccine.

At-Home COVID-19 Test Kits

Find Local Free At-Home COVID-19 Test Kits

To help ensure health equity for all, regardless of income or ZIP Code, the City of Stamford DHHS provides free COVID-19 at-home test kits (while supplies last) to our city’s schools, shelters and community-based social service organizations.

The school-based health centers operated by Family Centers in seven Stamford public schools also offer both free in-office COVID testing and at-home test kits to interested students (signed parental consent form required.)

Purchase at Pharmacies, Stores, Online

Most pharmacies, grocery, big-box stores, and online retailers sell at-home COVID-19 test kits. Federal law no longer requires insurance companies to cover the full cost of at-home test kits, so first check with your health insurance plan (including Medicare or Medicaid/HUSKY Health) to find out if you will be responsible for any co-pay or cost.

Can I Use My Test Kit If It Is Past the Expiration Date On The Box?

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has extended the expiration dates for several at-home COVID-19 test kits. An extended expiration date means the manufacturer provided data showing that the shelf-life is longer than was known when the test was first authorized. Before you throw away an older test kit, check to see if it is still OK to use on the FDA’s list here.

In-Person COVID-19 Test Locations

Some local pharmacies and walk-in urgent care clinics offer in-person COVID-19 testing. Check with your health insurance policy (including Medicare and Medicaid/HUSKY Health) to find out if you will be responsible for any co-pay or cost.

AFC Urgent Care

3000 Summer St, Stamford

Hours: Open daily, but tests are limited

Offers rapid tests and traditional PCR tests

Cost: Depends on your health insurance plan

Call (203) 969-2000 to check availability and schedule

CVS Pharmacy

229 Hope St, Stamford
66 High Ridge Road, Stamford
969 High Ridge Road, Stamford

Hours: Open daily, appointment required

Offers rapid antigen testing (results within hours) drive-thru only (test while in your car)

Cost: $69.99, health insurance is not accepted

Schedule an appointment online

CVS - Minute Clinic

1239 E Putnam Ave, Riverside

Hours: Open daily, appointment required

Offers rapid antigen test with provider visit (results during visit)

Cost: Depends on your insurance plan. Most health insurance is accepted, you may have a co-pay or cost

Schedule an appointment online

DOCS Urgent Care

2001 W Main St, Stamford

Hours: Open daily, appointment required

Offers rapid antigen testing, rapid PCR, and traditional PCR testing

Cost: ~$195 before insurance or without insurance
Schedule an appointment online or call (203) 658-8291

Walgreens

780 East Main St, Stamford 

Hours: Open daily, appointment required

Offers rapid antigen and PCR tests (results in 30 minutes - 2 hours), and traditional PCR testing (results in 48 hours)

Cost: Up to $19.99 - $128.99 (depending on type of test) before insurance or without insurance. If you meet federal eligibility criteria, you may qualify for no-cost testing.

Schedule an appointment online

 

In-Person COVID-19 Test Locations For People Without Health Insurance

COVID-19 testing is available at no cost for individuals who:

• Do not have any type of health insurance (including Medicare or Medicaid/HUSKY Health)
  AND

• Currently have COVID-19 symptoms, or have been in close contact with someone who recently tested positive for COVID-19

The three local Increasing Community Access to Testing (ICATT) locations:

Walgreens

780 East Main St, Stamford 

Hours: Open daily, appointment required

Schedule an appointment online or call (203)353-9117

Quest

1250 Summer St. Stamford

Hours: Open Monday-Saturday

Schedule an appointment online, walk-ins are accepted based on availability

 

Minute Clinic inside CVS

1239 E Putnam Ave, Riverside

Hours: Open daily, appointment required

Schedule an appointment online

 

You can also go to ICATT No-Cost COVID-19 Testing locations outside Stamford.

In-Person COVID-19 Testing at Your Healthcare Provider

Many local healthcare providers offer in-person COVID-19 testing for their existing patients. Call your provider’s office for information on how to schedule a COVID-19 test.

If you are an established or newly-established patient at one of the local Health Centers, click the link below or call for their COVID-19 testing services:

• Community Health Center (CHC) or call (860) 863-4600 

• Family Centers or call (203) 463-2682

• Optimus Health Center or call (203) 621-3700

Health Centers such as these (also known as Federally Qualified Health Centers or FQHCs) are nonprofit health centers or clinics that serve medically underserved areas and populations. They provide a range of primary care services on a sliding scale fee based on your ability to pay.

Two Types of COVID-19 Testing: Which One is Right For Me?

There are two main types of COVID-19 tests: Antigen and PCR.

• Antigen tests (such as at-home test kits) produce results fast -- usually in 15-30 minutes. A ‘positive’ result is reliable and means you very likely have COVID-19. However, an antigen test may not detect the virus early in an infection and return a false negative result, especially if you don’t have any symptoms.

• If your first test is negative using an at-home antigen test, the FDA recommends repeat testing -- whether or not you have symptoms -- to increase the likelihood of an accurate result. If you test negative, test again 48 hours after your first test. If the second test is negative, wait another 48 hours and then take a third test.

• PCR tests are more accurate at detecting COVID-19. A PCR test that is negative for COVID-19 is more reliable even when you do not have any symptoms. The test is sent to a lab for analysis, so it takes longer to get your results -- usually 2-3 days. Some locations now have rapid PCR tests that return results in a few hours.

• Learn more about how to choose which COVID-19 test is best for you.

Last Updated: 3/5/24

 

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