About COVID-19 Testing at UH
COVID-19 tests are not a screening method for coronavirus, but are used to confirm suspected cases in people with symptoms of infection. It’s not necessary to be tested for COVID-19 unless you have symptoms such as fever, fatigue or cough. Patients of any age will be tested regardless of ability to pay, and no copays will be charged for the COVID-19 test.
University Hospitals will not test patients for COVID-19 who are asymptomatic, unless they are undergoing surgery at one of our facilities. In addition, UH will not perform COVID-19 testing for the following reasons:
- Anyone without symptoms of possible COVID-19
- Anyone with known exposure to COVID-19 without symptoms
- Return to work testing
- Return to school or college testing
- Return to play testing
This is to focus limited medical resources on those with the highest probability of infection and avoid unnecessary testing of people who are likely to be well. If you are in need of testing for the above reasons, visit the Ohio Department of Health at Coronavirus.Ohio.gov for testing options.
UH Offers Testing Options at Convenient Locations
University Hospitals is testing in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. If you suspect you have COVID-19 because of symptoms, University Hospitals offers safe, convenient locations across Northeast Ohio where you can get tested and treated. There are two ways to obtain a COVID-19 test at UH:
If You Do Have a Primary Care Physician
If you have a primary care physician, calling your doctor is your first step in seeking care. Your doctor can order a test if appropriate and direct you to one of the three types of testing sites:
Walk-In Testing
University Hospitals has walk-in testing sites for patients with symptoms who already have a doctor’s order for a COVID-19 test.
If you have a primary care physician, calling your doctor is your first step in seeking care. Your doctor will determine if you need to be tested and will provide you with specific information on where to go for this testing. Be sure to follow your physician’s advice for treatment at home. If you don’t have a physician, visit a UH Fever Clinic or UH Urgent Care for evaluation by a clinician.
Drive-Through Testing
At our convenient drive-through testing sites, a health care provider in personal protective equipment will swab the patient’s nose through the car door window, and the sample is sent to a UH lab for evaluation.
By sending samples to UH lab, we can deliver faster results to patients. Results are available in up to five days; most are usually available within 48 hours.
University Hospitals is testing in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.
University Hospitals offers drive-through testing at:
UH Customer Service Center
20800 Harvard Rd
Beachwood, OH 44122
Get Directions
Hours: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 8 a.m. - 11 a.m.
UH Avon Health Center
1997 Healthway Drive
Avon, Ohio 44011
Get Directions
Hours: Monday, 12:30 p.m. - 3 p.m.; Tuesday, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.; Wednesday 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.; Thursday, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.; Friday 12:30 p.m. - 3 p.m.
UH Samaritan Medical Center
1025 Center Street
Ashland, OH 44805
Get Directions
Hours: Mon-Sat 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Pre-Surgery Testing
University Hospitals tests all patients who are scheduled for surgery or chemotherapy at other UH facilities located east, west and downtown. Your physician will provide you with specific information on where to go for this testing.
If You Don’t Have a Primary Care Physician
Visit a UH Urgent Care
UH Urgent Care provides safe medical attention should you develop COVID-19 symptoms and if you don’t have a primary care physician or a doctor’s order for a test. You will be seen by a clinician and receive a COVID-19 test if appropriate. Please know there is limited availability of tests.
Ohio’s First Fully Mobile and Self-contained Testing Center
The University Hospitals mobile testing unit is bringing COVID-19 testing to underserved areas across the region.