COVID-19 Testing

App State students who are concerned about symptoms they might be experiencing can contact Student Health Service at 828-262-3100; faculty and staff can contact AppHealthCare at 828-795-1970.

You should be tested if:

• You believe you have symptoms of COVID-19.
• If you have no symptoms and you are at higher risk for severe illness (you are 65 or older, you have an underlying health condition or chronic condition), or have been in close contact with someone who is known to have a positive result.
• If you are someone working in a frontline role or essential business where social distancing is hard to maintain.
• If you are a first responder, law enforcement officer, fire department staff member, or healthcare staff member, please reach out if you would like to be tested.
• If you live in or work in a facility where social distancing is hard to maintain, like congregate living, healthcare facilities or home care.

Testing locations:

COVID-19 testing requires pre-screening and an appointment. Please do not show up at a health care provider location without calling in advance. This will help your provider prepare should you need to be tested and lessen the potential exposure to others. 

If you are a student, contact Student Health Service for an appointment. Tests are conducted weekdays. Clinic hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Wednesday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Information on the types of tests available and how to make an appointment to get one are available on the Student Health Service website.

Faculty, staff and students can be tested by AppHealthCare Monday-Friday. AppHealthCare will serve anyone, regardless of ability to pay. Schedule a test with AppHealthCare by calling the AppHealthCare COVID-19 Hotline at 828-795-1970. Appalachian Regional Healthcare System and many primary care providers also offer testing.

• For a list of testing locations in Watauga County, click here.
• For a list of testing locations in Ashe County, click here.
• For a list of testing locations in Alleghany County, click here.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) offers two additional tools to help you determine whether you should be tested and find testing sites:

• Visit the Check My Symptoms site here
• Visit the Find My Testing Place here

As of July 31, NCDHHS updated their guidance on Antigen Testing for providers and laboratories. The updated guidance states, “Antigen tests are designed for rapid diagnosis of active infection by detecting viral proteins on the surface of SARS-CoV-2 virus (the virus that causes COVID-19) in nasal swabs or similar clinical specimens. This test works similarly to a rapid flu test. The results take about 15 minutes.”

Broad-based, campus entry testing

As of June 30, 2020, the CDC does not recommend entry testing of all returning students, faculty and staff at Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) because to date it is unknown whether entry testing on a broad scale would reduce transmission of the virus more than the use of other infection control measures (e.g., adequate social distancing, correct use of cloth face covering, frequent hand washing, enhanced cleaning and disinfection).

The CDC does state, “in areas with moderate to substantial community transmission where resources allow, local health officials and IHEs may consider testing some or all asymptomatic students, faculty, and staff who have no known exposure (e.g., students in congregate housing such as residence halls) to identify outbreaks and inform control measures.” App State is exploring what measures may be feasible in this regard, and will continue communications to campus as decisions are made.

Read more about CDC testing guidance for Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs)