Asymptomatic COVID-19 Testing: A Guide

Asymptomatic means you have no symptoms of a possible COVID-19 infection. If you do have symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell, please call your healthcare provider or visit your nearest RRH Immediate Care for a COVID-19 evaluation and possible symptomatic COVID-19 testing options.

Are there different reasons for asymptomatic COVID-19 testing?

Yes, there are at least three different reasons for asymptomatic testing. 

Asymptomatic exposure testing

• Exposure to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, but you are experiencing no symptoms.
• Contact your primary care provider or visit an urgent care to be assessed; based on the circumstances of your exposure and your vaccination history you may or may not need testing.

Asymptomatic pre-procedure testing

• No exposure, no symptoms
• Testing required prior to elective surgeries, procedures and immunocompromising treatments to ensure you do not have a COVID-19 infection.

Asymptomatic surveillance testing

• No exposure, no symptoms
• Generally not covered by insurance. You will need to find out what type of testing is required for your specific purpose: rapid antigen testing (least expensive), rapid molecular testing, or PCR testing (most expensive).

Where can I get an asymptomatic COVID-19 surveillance test?

• Rochester Regional Health Immediate Care Locations
  

  With multiple locations throughout Rochester and surrounding areas, RRH Immediate Care offers walk-in fee-for-service rapid COVID-19 testing for asymptomatic patients with 30-minute results, and asymptomatic PCR testing with results in 24-48 hours These locations offer a variety of urgent care services, including medical evaluations for COVID-19 and may recommend PCR testing if you are symptomatic or have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
  Find a location

• Free asymptomatic testing options

• NYS free PCR testing site at Monroe Community College
• Monroe County free rapid testing sites
• CVS Pharmacy
• Walgreens
• Rite Aid

What do I need asymptomatic COVID-19 surveillance testing for?

There are circumstances in which you might need or want a COVID-19 test when asymptomatic. Here are some events and occasions in which you may need such asymptomatic testing:

Weddings and Events 

As of May 19, 2021, weddings and other catered events should continue to limit guests indoors to 250 indoors or 500 outdoors. Testing is no longer required for attendance. Event venues are able to require masks for all patrons and social distancing of 6 feet required between parties of attendees, unless all attendees present proof of full vaccination status. 

For large-scale events exceeding the State's social gathering limits that are held indoors, proof of recent negative COVID-19 test result for attendees over the age of four is required for unvaccinated attendees. This testing is optional for outdoor event settings. 

Travel

All travelers must complete the Traveler Health Form unless the traveler had left New York for less than 24 hours or is coming to New York from a contiguous state. Contiguous states to New York are Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont.

Asymptomatic travelers entering New York from another country, US state or territory, are no longer required to test or quarantine as of April 10, 2021. Quarantine and testing 3-5 days after arrival in New York are still recommended for all domestic and international travelers who are not fully vaccinated. 

Effective August 9, 2021, fully vaccinated U.S. citizens and permanent residents traveling for non-essential reasons will be able to enter Canada from the United States. Regardless of vaccination status, all travelers over age 5 will still need to provide proof of a negative molecular COVID-19 test received within 72 hours of travel. Be sure to let your test provider know that a molecular COVID-19 test is required before traveling to Canada.

Symptomatic travelers must immediately self-isolate and contact their local health department or healthcare provider to determine if they should seek COVID-19 testing. 

Learn more about the New York State COVID-19 Travel Advisory.