(Salt Lake City, UT) – The Utah Department of Health (UDOH) has sponsored COVID-19 testing since the beginning of the pandemic and has added hours, locations, and more tests to the testing options across the state. Tests offered through the UDOH are free and no appointment is necessary. Tests include Abbott ID NOW COVID-19 Rapid Molecular test (this is a Nucleic Acid Amplification Test–NAAT), RT-PCR, and rapid antigen. PCR results are usually available within 24-48 hours; rapid PCR and rapid antigen results are usually available within 15-60 minutes. And, now, there’s a test-at-home option for some people.
The Utah Department of Health and Fulgent Genetics now offer mail-based (at-home) PCR testing for Utahns who have symptoms or were exposed to COVID-19 and:
· Live in rural Utah, or
· Are unable to access a community testing site
Register online to see if you qualify for the free mail-based PCR test. It takes about four days to get your test results after registering. This includes the time it takes for you to get the test in the mail, take your sample at home, and mail it back to Fulgent Genetics. The test will be shipped to you by FedEx and must be returned to Fulgent Genetics by FedEx. Test results from the mail-based PCR tests are reported to the Utah Department of Health by Fulgent Genetics.
The UDOH also partnered with NOMI Health (TestUtah) to offer two designated lanes for travel testing In Salt Lake City and St. George. The testing locations are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Sunday. Testing for non-travelers is still available at both locations for all other members of the public. Not all travel destinations will accept the types of tests offered at these testing locations. Travelers are responsible for making sure they meet testing or vaccination requirements of their travel destination. For more information on travel testing and requirements, visit https://coronavirus.utah.gov/travel/.