If you need a COVID-19 test and don’t have symptoms or have very minimal symptoms, the best place to go is one of the many drive-thru testing centers around the Louisville area.

Story by: Norton Healthcare on December 14, 2022

If you need a COVID-19 test and don’t have symptoms, you can get an appointment for drive-thru testing at Norton Healthcare Express Services.

If you are not sure whether you should see a health care provider, contact your primary care provider, especially if you have a preexisting condition that makes you at high risk for severe illness if you get COVID-19.

COVID-19 vaccines continue to be the best way to prevent severe illness from the coronavirus, the virus that causes COVID-19.

When to Get Tested for COVID-19

Key times to get tested:

• If you have symptoms, test immediately.
• If you were exposed to COVID-19 and do not have symptoms, wait at least five full days after your exposure before testing. If you test too early, you may be more likely to get an inaccurate result.
• If you are in certain high-risk settings, you may need to test as part of a screening testing program.
• Consider testing before contact with someone at high risk for severe COVID-19, especially if you are in an area with a medium or high COVID-19 Community Level.

If your symptoms are life-threatening, seek care at the closest hospital emergency department.

Care for things other than COVID-19

Same-day care

If you need same-day care and can’t get an appointment with your primary care provider, you can get care at a Norton Immediate Care Center or a Norton Prompt Care at Walgreens clinic for issues including:

• Cough
• Earache
• Fever
• Flu
• Minor animal bites
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• Minor burns or cuts
• Minor injuries
• Pinkeye
• Rash or skin irritation
• Sore throat
• Urinary tract infection
• Suspected broken bone (Norton Immediate Care Center only)

Care from your home

Norton eCare offers video and phone visits for conditions that are not complex, and are not an emergency or a life-threatening situation. For example:

• Eye, nose and throat issues, such as pinkeye
• Diarrhea, nausea and vomiting
• Skin rash, insect bites and poison ivy
• Urinary issues

See a full list here.

Emergency care

Serious issues requiring care in an emergency department include:

• Chest pain
• Stroke symptoms (numbness in face, arm or leg; trouble speaking; sudden severe headache)
• Loss of consciousness or patient is unresponsive
• Major injury or head trauma
• Seizure (for those not diagnosed with epilepsy)
• Severe shortness of breath or asthma attack
• Severe burn or wound
• Shock
• Uncontrollable bleeding
• Vomiting blood

If you have a concern that you think is an emergency and your symptoms are life-threatening, call 911 or go to an emergency department right away.