COVID-19 Active Infection

This COVID-19 test is an anterior nares (nasal) swab collection kit with in-person and at-home collection options:

• In-person: a healthcare professional will observe while you complete the self-collection process yourself inside the location or in your vehicle.
• At-home kit: a self-collection kit will be sent via FedEx® at no additional charge. Detailed instructions on how to collect your sample are included in the kit alongside a prepaid FedEx overnight shipping label and envelope.

If you are purchasing testing on behalf of a child, you as the parent or legal guardian must supervise, and can help assist with, the sample collection.

This test does not require fasting.

This test is authorized by the FDA under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). ^a

This COVID-19 test may be helpful for those who:

• Currently have symptoms of COVID-19
• Live or work in a place where people reside, meet, or gather in close proximity (this can include healthcare settings, homeless shelters, assisted living facilities, group homes, prisons, detention centers, schools, and workplaces)
• Have been in close contact with someone who has a confirmed case of COVID-19
• Have been identified as someone who should get tested by an employer, public health department, contact investigator, or healthcare provider
• Are visiting a place that requires testing prior to arrival
• Do not have symptoms or known exposure to COVID-19, but who are unknowingly infected

This COVID-19 test may not be helpful for those who:

• Currently have severe symptoms that limit daily activities. Seek medical attention right away if this is the case.^b
• Have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 3 months. When you test positive, you will not need to be tested again for 3 months as long as you do not develop new symptoms.

This test is not intended for individuals who are on blood thinners or have had a previous trauma to their nose. This test is not intended for children with chronic illnesses (eg, asthma, kidney disease, heart conditions, sickle cell disease, etc). If your child has an underlying medical condition or if your child’s condition changes before you are able to obtain the test or the test result, please follow-up with your child’s healthcare provider for additional information about testing.^c

Understanding Results

After receiving results, you will have an opportunity to speak with a licensed physician who can answer any questions you may have and help determine next steps in care.

If results are positive, it is important to contact your healthcare provider immediately, self-isolate, and monitor symptoms.

If results are negative, the individual was most likely not infected with COVID-19 at the time of sample collection. In some cases, there is not enough SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the sample to detect the virus. This can happen in a percentage of cases during the different stages of infection. If symptoms are present, it is important to follow up with a healthcare provider for further evaluation and to take protective measures to avoid infecting others.

You May Qualify for Treatment

Monoclonal Antibodies (mAb) help the immune system recognize and respond more effectively to COVID-19. In high-risk patients, Monoclonal Antibody Treatment has been shown to decrease the severity of COVID-19 symptoms and reduce the rate of hospitalization.*

mAb treatment has the most clinical benefit during the earliest stages of infection. All those who receive a positive COVID-19 molecular test result through QuestDirect will receive a call from PWN. During this call, PWN can evaluate eligibility and, if appropriate, offer to prescribe treatment.

This treatment option is most appropriate for high-risk individuals who test positive for COVID-19 and who have had mild to moderate symptoms for no longer than 10 days from onset of symptoms.

The FDA has issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) to permit mAb products for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19.

About COVID-19

COVID-19 is highly contagious. Cases of COVID-19 range from mild to severe. Most people infected with this virus have mild symptoms. Some people who are infected don’t have any symptoms and don’t feel sick but can still transmit the virus to others. More severe cases of COVID-19 have been seen in older adults and those with weakened immune systems or pre-existing health issues; however, serious illness can also occur in younger adults. While fewer children have been sick with COVID-19 compared to adults, they can also be infected and serious illness can occur.

For more information on COVID-19 and Quest COVID-19 testing, please visit Other helpful resources include:

Fees and Payment

Individuals may have COVID-19 testing fully paid by their health plan or the government. If you are looking for that option, visit  or contact your healthcare provider.

Individuals also have the right to have testing without submitting to insurance or the government for reimbursement. With Orange County Labs, you can purchase this testing online. This option is only for individuals who want to pay directly for the testing and do not plan to seek reimbursement. If you choose to purchase services through this website using a credit card, the services purchased are your financial responsibility. Orange County Labsis unable to provide a receipt that contains the information generally required by health plans for reimbursement.

^a This test has been authorized by the FDA under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA).  This means that while Quest Diagnostics has validated the test and has the data to believe the test and the collection kit are accurate, this test has not been FDA-cleared or -approved; This test has been authorized by FDA under an EUA for use by authorized laboratories; this test has been authorized only for the detection of nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2, not for any other viruses or pathogens; and, this test is only authorized for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of emergency use on in vitro diagnostics for detection and/or diagnosis of COVID-19 under Section 564(B)(1) of the Act, 21 U.S.C. § 360BBB-3(B)(1), unless the authorization is terminated or revoked sooner. Additional studies need to be conducted for this test and others like it to be FDA cleared or approved.

^b Severe symptoms may include, but are not limited to, persistent fever (lasting longer than 48 hours) greater than 102 °F or a persistent low-grade fever, severe shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, continuous pain or pressure in the chest, severe coughing spells or coughing up blood, abdominal (gut) pain, neck pain, rash, bloodshot eyes, irregular heartbeat, confusion, blue lips or face, dizziness, lightheadedness, feeling too weak to stand, feeling very tired or lethargic, slurred speech or seizures, persistent vomiting or diarrhea, or feeling not well enough to stay home.

^c There are many causes of fever, cough, and shortness of breath. COVID-19 is just one condition that may cause these symptoms. This test does not rule out the possibility of other illnesses and infections that may be present instead of or in addition to COVID-19.