If you think you've been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever, cough and shortness of breath call your health care provider for advice. They will determine if you should be tested for coronavirus, or come in for in-person care. If so, they will instruct you on how how to arrive to limit exposure to others.

 

Health care providers can request testing from public or private labs and may consult the state department of public health. The State Hygenic Lab conducts tests for patients that meet the state's criteria, which include:

 

• a person who has traveled to a country with a level 3 CDC travel health warning or has taken an international cruise in the two weeks prior to becoming ill with fever and respiratory symptoms (who do not have an alternative diagnosis)

• a person with household contact with a lab-confirmed COVID-19 case in the two weeks prior to becoming ill with fever or respiratory symptoms

• hospitalized adults older than 60 with fever and respiratory symptoms and chronic medical conditions

• hospitalized people with fever and respiratory failure, with no alternate diagnosis

 

Test results from the state lab should be available in approximately 24 hours. Private lab results times may vary.

 

For more coronavirus information, call Iowa's 211 system or visit the Iowa Department of Public Health's website.