COVID-19 Testing

Getting tested

You should get tested if you:

are experiencing COVID-like symptoms,
have been in contact with someone who is infected with COVID-19,
are planning to attend a large gathering,
are spending time with others who are at high risk for sever COVID-19,
or have traveled or been in large gatherings.

Get tested as soon as possible after your symptoms start.

While waiting for test results, wear a mask and stay away from others, including staying apart from those living in your household.

BPHC testing centers

Please be advised that BPHC's standing testing sites at the Bruce C. Bolling Municipal Building and City Hall no longer offer PCR testing. rapid antigen testing kits are available for use at these sites.

BPHC hosts free walk-in testing sites that are open to all. Testing is available regardless of insurance or immigration status, and will not affect "public charge" rule determinations. There are also several other testing sites across the city. If you need a COVID-19 test check out the City's testing sites.

Other testing centers have varying policies regarding the availability of asymptomatic testing and insurance coverage. Please call ahead. The multilingual Mayor's Health Line (617-534-5050) can help with health insurance applications and navigating the health care system, and answer your COVID-19 questions.

You can also use an at-home test. Check out BPHC's home testing guidance.

List of testing sites

Testing sites

Walk-in testing sites

The hours, times, and processes vary by site. Some sites require you to call ahead for pre-screening and to schedule an appointment. You should contact your health insurance provider with insurance coverage questions, and to determine any potential uncovered costs. Please be advised that BPHC's standing sites at the Bruce C. Bolling Building and City Hall no longer offer PCT testing. Rapid antigen testing kits are still available at both sites.

TESTING FACILITY	ADDRESS	CONTACT and testing info	Hours
Bruce Bolling Building - Ground Level	2302 Washington Street, Roxbury, MA 02119	Located on the ground level, walk-ins only Antigen Take Homes Tests Only	Thursdays through Saturdays: 12p.m. - 6 p.m.
City Hall	Ground Floor - Room 115	Antigen Take Homes Tests Only	Monday, 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. and Wednesday, 12 - 5 p.m.
DotHouse Health	1353 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester, MA 02122	Testing is free for patients. Patients should bring their insurance card and ID, if available but not required. A PCR test is administered.	Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Jamaica Plain VA Medical Center	150 S Huntington Avenue, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130	Available to all veterans enrolled in the Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system.	Wednesday, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m
West Roxbury VA Medical Center	1400 VFW Parkway, West Roxbury, MA 02132	Available to all veterans enrolled in the Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system.	Fridays, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

The state also put together a website to search testing locations across Massachusetts.

Testing by appointment sites

The hours, times, and processes vary by site. Some sites require you to call ahead for pre-screening and to schedule an appointment. You should contact your health insurance provider with insurance coverage questions, and to determine any potential uncovered costs.

TESTING FACILITY	ADDRESS	CONTACT and testing info	Hours
Brigham and Women's Hospital (Boston main campus)	75 Francis Street Boston, MA 02115	617-732-5500	By appointment in office
Codman Square Health Center	637 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02124	To make an appointment for a test, you can call 617-822-8271. Walk-ins are held on a first come first serve basis.	Monday - Friday, from 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
CVS	1266 Commonwealth Avenue Allston, MA 02134 3 Post Office Square, Boston, MA 02109	Schedule an appointment online.	Varies
CVS Pharmacy drive-thru	207 Market Street, Brighton, MA 02135 181 Brighton Avenue, Allston, MA 02134 1921 Centre Street West Roxbury, MA 02132 4600 Washington Street, Roslindale, MA 02131 1150 Saratoga Street, East Boston, MA 02128 703 Gallivan Boulevard, Dorchester, MA 02124	To get tested, register in advance online with CVS.	Varies
East Boston Neighborhood Health Center	79 Paris Street, East Boston, MA 02128	Testing for symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Appointments only, make an appointment by calling 617-569-5800 before arriving on site. This helps reduce traffic and crowding.	Walk-up testing: Monday - Friday, 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 - 3p.m.
Greater Roslindale Medical and Dental Center	9 Taft Hill Terrace, Roslindale, MA 02131	Testing available by appointment only. To make an appointment call 617-323-4440. Testing is available at no cost and regardless of symptoms. Drive thru available in municipal parking lot.	Monday Tuesday and Thursday, 1:30 - 3 p.m.
Harvard Street at Prince Hall Grand Lodge	24 Washington Street, Dorchester, MA 02121	Patients only. Registration required. Please call 617-825-3400 if you would like to get vaccinated or tested for COVID-19. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Tuesday from 3 - 5 p.m.
Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center at Veteran's Center	895 Blue Hill Avenue Dorchester, MA 02124	This location is subject to changes due to staffing availability, please call to confirm your appointment. To schedule an appointment call 617-245-8206	Tuesday and Wednesday, 4 - 7 p.m.
Massachusetts General Hospital	55 Fruit Street Boston, MA 02114	617-726-2000	By appointment in office
Upham's Corner Health Center	415 Columbia Road Dorchester, MA 02125	617-388-5007 COVID-19 testing now takes place by appointment and for current patients only. Testing is located in the outdoor parking lot testing tent.	Monday Wednesday, Thursday, 9 - 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, 1 - 4 p.m. Friday, 10 - 11:30 a.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Whittier Street Health Center	1290 Tremont Street Roxbury, MA 02120	Call 617-989-3071 to make an appointment. Take-home tests only offered to those who are symptomatic. No longer offering PCR testing	Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

The state also put together a map of testing locations outside of the City of Boston.

At-home test kits

At-home rapid tests are an important strategy to protect your friends and family from exposure. Help us stop the spread of COVID-19 in Boston.

Find kits in the community

At-home tests are now widely available for sale at retail stores. Contact your insurer to see if they will over the costs of at-home testing kits.

Test kits are currently available free of cost at pickup sites in the community.

If you test positive, call your healthcare provider immediately to see if you are eligible for COVID-19 treatment. Follow their instructions and keep them informed of your symptoms. If you have questions, please contact the Mayor’s Health Line at 617-534-5050.

At-home test kit information

If You Test Positive for COVID-19

If you test positive for COVID-19, call your health care provider right away and begin isolating from others. Contacting a health care provider is important because there are now treatments available for COVID-19.

If you test positive for COVID-19, you must isolate for a minimum of five days, regardless of vaccination status. However, there are individuals who may remain infectious after that isolation period. Check out BPHC's Isolation Guidance for more info.

Contact your healthcare provider immediately, even if your symptoms are mild - you may be eligible for COVID-19 treatment. Don't delay treatment must start early to be effective. Some treatments must begin within five days of your first symptom.

Check out BPHC's guidance on what to do if you test positive, depending on your unique situation.

Early treatments that prevent severe illness and hospitalization are available. Options include:

The state’s in-home COVID-19 Treatment Program.
Free telehealth appointments for treatment with Paxlovid for individuals 18 or older living in Massachusetts who are positive for COVID-19 and are experiencing symptoms. Telehealth is a quick and easy way to see if Paxlovid, a COVID-19 treatment pill taken, is right for you. If it is, you can pick it up at your local pharmacy or free overnight delivery will be arranged.
Call Gothams’ COVID-19 Self-Referral Treatment Line (508-213-1380) to speak with a representative about scheduling an infusion appointment at one of their seven sites in Massachusetts, if you are eligible. This line is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
See a map of locations offering therapeutic treatment.

COVID-19 Symptoms

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus and may include:

Fever or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
New loss of sense of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
Skin rashes

In elderly, chronically ill, or debilitated individuals such as residents of a long-term care facility, symptoms of COVID-19 may be subtle such as alterations in mental status or in blood glucose control.

If you have emergency warning signs, call 911.

Emergency warning signs include:

Difficulty breathing
Pain or pressure in chest
Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds
Confused or finding it hard to wake or stay awake
Other serious symptoms

Additional Resources for Senior Adults

Need help booking an appointment?

Older Boston residents that are interested in the COVID vaccine and who need help with online registration or transportation should call 3-1-1 for help. Ask to be connected to the Age Strong Commission for vaccine assistance. Eligible Massachusetts residents can also call 2-1-1 if they need help for registration.