NOTE: Since publishing this blog, information regarding testing has been updated. Please refer to Dr. Lucy McBride’s post, published on July 27 2020 for a full breakdown. 

Key Takeaways:

• Taking a one-time rapid test gives a snapshot of a person’s level of viral particles at that particular moment. It does a good job telling you if you are infected with enough virus to be infectious to others – in that exact moment.
• However, it does NOT detect lower, non-transmissible levels of the virus. Meaning you can have low-levels of coronavirus when tested, but hours later be contagious.
• For testing to be used effectively among asymptomatic people it would need to be conducted frequently.
• Regular testing is a good idea in theory, but now there is a shortage of supply and an increase in demand. Results are also taking up to 10-14 days. This lag-time and lack of access are rendering the test useless/impractical as a screening tool for the general public at this time.

Parents and Nannies,

Starting a job or beginning to employ someone in your home during a pandemic is certainly new territory for everyone. 

If either a nanny or employer is feeling anxious, they may ask if you are willing to get tested for COVID-19—even if you or your family members are not displaying symptoms—a few days before the relationship is set to begin. 

At this time, most doctors are only recommending getting tested for COVID if you have symptoms or have a known exposure. However, a pregnant mom or nanny with a high-risk family member at home may want added assurance. 

While testing is not foolproof, we work with nannies and families that have both agreed to get tested before the job start date. The act can help put minds at ease knowing that you all have done what you can to protect one another. It can help start the relationship off on a good foot, especially if one party is more concerned than another.

This is by no means something that all families and caregivers must do. The decision is between both of you. However, now that testing is more widely available, we wanted to share information about where you can access testing, often without a doctor’s referral. 

Below are locations that do not require a referral. For a full list of testing sites, visit this site. Maryland and Virginia also each have testing site directories that can provide the most up-to-date information. 

D.C.

1. UDC-CC Bertie Backus Campus (5171 South Dakota Ave. NE): Available to any D.C. resident with a prior appointment, made by calling 1-855-363-0333. Asymptomatic patients can get a test here, but high-risk groups will be prioritized. Open Tuesdays and Thursdays.
2. CVS – Patients must register in advance at CVS.com to schedule an appointment. You will need to answer some qualifying questions in order to schedule an appt.  A complete list of CVS Pharmacy drive-thru test sites can be found here.
   • CVS Pharmacy, 845 Bladensburg Road NE, Washington D.C., 20002
   • CVS Pharmacy, 6514 Georgia Avenue NW, Washington D.C., 20012
   • CVS Pharmacy, 110 Carroll Street NW, Washington D.C., 20012
3. D.C. Firehouses are offering free walk-up testing from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at eight different locations across the District on select days:
   • Engine 4 (2531 Sherman Ave. NW): Open Monday and Friday
   • Engine 8 (1520 C St. SE): Open Tuesday
   • Engine 10 (1342 Florida Ave. NE): Open Wednesday
   • Engine 11 (3420 14th St. NW): Open Thursday
   • Engine 12 (2225 5th St. NE): Open Monday and Friday
   • Engine 30 (50 49th St. NE): Open Wednesday
   • Engine 31 (4930 Connecticut Ave. NW): Open Thursday
   • Engine 33 (101 Atlantic St. SE): Open Tuesday
4. Judiciary Square (F Street, NW between 4th and 5th Streets, NW): Open for free, walk-up COVID-19 testing. Those looking to get tested can register at a tent at the site, which is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m

Maryland

Maryland’s Health Department has created an interactive map for residents to find the closest testing sites.  

1. Righttime Medical Care has testing locations in Annapolis, Bethesda, La Plata, Olney, Potomac, Rockville, Silver Spring and Waldorf. Appointments can be scheduled online.
2. Patient First has drive-up locations in Rockville (726 Rockville Pike, (240) 238-0411 and press 5), Beltsville (10424 Baltimore Ave., 240-542-5987). Call for appointments.
3. CVS – Patients must register in advance at CVS.com to schedule a drive-through appointment. You will need to answer some qualifying questions in order to schedule an appt.  A complete list of CVS Pharmacy drive-thru test sites can be found here.
   • CVS Pharmacy, 1460B West Patrick Street, Frederick, 21701
   • CVS Pharmacy, 5910 Greenbelt Road, Greenbelt, 20770
   • CVS Pharmacy, 5621 Sargent Road, Hyattsville, 20782
   • CVS Pharmacy, 360 Hungerford Drive, Rockville, 20850
   • CVS Pharmacy, 799 Rockville Pike, Rockville, 20852
   • CVS Pharmacy, 7809 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda,  20814
   • CVS Pharmacy, 12215 Darnestown Road, Gaithersburg, 20878 
4. Rollingcrest-Chillum Recreation Center (6120 Sargent Rd., 301-883-6627) is offering testing Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call for an appointment.
5. MedStar Health has testing locations in Gaithersburg (12111 Darnestown Rd., 301-926-3095), Hyattsville (6401 America Blvd., 301-276-8800), Bethesda (7801 Democracy Blvd.), Chevy Chase (5454 Wisconsin Ave., 401, 301-215-9440), Waldorf (3064 Waldorf Market Pl., 301-932-5960) and Wheaton (11915 Georgia Ave., 301-942-4505). Call for appointments.

Virginia

The Virginia Department of Health maintains an online testing site locator 

1. CVS – Patients must register in advance at CVS.com to schedule a drive-through appointment. You will need to answer some qualifying questions in order to schedule an appt.  A complete list of CVS Pharmacy drive-thru test sites can be found here.
   • CVS Pharmacy, 3921 Prosperity Avenue, Fairfax, 22031
   • CVS Pharmacy, 10090 Fairfax Boulevard, Fairfax, 22030
   • CVS Pharmacy, 7205 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, 22003
   • CVS Pharmacy, 9009 Silverbrook Road, Fairfax Station, 22079
   • CVS Pharmacy, 1020 Seneca Road, Great Falls, 22066
   • CVS Pharmacy, 3401 Charles Street, Bailey’s Crossroads, 22041
2. Neighborhood Health @ Richmond Highway (6677 Richmond Highway, Alexandria): Patients must call first. 703-535-5568.
3. Medical Access Alexandria (7598 Telegraph Road, Alexandria): Open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Prospective patients must take the online prescreen questionnaire and call ahead to schedule an appointment. Patients will be screened in their car. 703-46-9881.