If you need a COVID-19 test and don’t have symptoms or have very minimal symptoms, the best place to go is one of the many drive-thru testing centers  around the Louisville area. This includes Norton Healthcare Express Services or the site at Churchill Downs operated by Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government.

“Providers at Norton Immediate Care Centers are seeing patients who are high risk for severe disease and have COVID-19 symptoms,” said Mary Rademaker, M.D., executive medical director, Norton Immediate Care Centers and Norton Prompt Care at Walgreens. “If you do not have COVID-19 symptoms or have only mild symptoms and are not considered high risk, you likely will need to be prepared to wait based on need and number of patients present.”

Dr. Rademaker also advises to go to an emergency department only if you are experiencing a true medical emergency.

If you are not sure if you should see a health care provider, contact your primary care provider, especially if you have a pre-existing condition that makes you at high risk for severe illness if you get COVID-19.

COVID-19 vaccines continue to be the best way to prevent severe illness from the coronavirus, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Guidelines for COVID-19 testing and care if you are concerned you have COVID-19

1. You are unvaccinated with no symptoms or have mild symptoms, but you do not need to be seen by a medical provider for an evaluation:

Testing is best if you have been exposed to COVID-19 at least five days ago. A testing appointment can be scheduled at NortonHealthcare.com/COVID-19 or visit the Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government’s listing to find other locations.

2. You are vaccinated and have mild symptoms, but you are not high risk:

If you have been exposed to COVID-19 at least five days ago, have mild symptoms but no health conditions that make you high risk for severe disease from the coronavirus, before going to get tested, contact your primary care provider to determine if you need to be seen by your provider.

3. You are at high risk and/or you have moderate to severe symptoms

You should promptly seek care at a Norton Immediate Care Center or Norton Prompt Care at Walgreens clinic if you:

• Have mild symptoms of COVID-19 and are considered high risk for severe disease from the coronavirus
• Have moderate to severe symptoms

If your symptoms are life-threatening, seek care at the closest hospital emergency department.

Care for things other than COVID-19

Same-day care

If you need same-day care and can’t get an appointment with your primary care provider, you can get care at a Norton Immediate Care Center or a Norton Prompt Care at Walgreens clinic for issues including:

• Cough
• Earache
• Fever
• Flu
• Minor animal bites
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• Minor burns or cuts
• Minor injuries
• Pinkeye
• Rash or skin irritation
• Sore throat
• Urinary tract infection
• Suspected broken bone (Norton Immediate Care Center only)

Care from your home

Norton eCare offers video and phone visits for conditions that are not complex, emergency or life-threatening situations. These include:

• Eye, nose and throat issues, such as pinkeye
• Diarrhea, nausea and vomiting
• Skin rash, insect bites and poison ivy
• Urinary issues

See a full list here.

Emergency care

Serious issues requiring care in an emergency department include:

• Chest pain
• Stroke symptoms (numbness in face, arm or leg; trouble speaking; sudden severe headache)
• Loss of consciousness or unresponsive
• Major injury or head trauma
• Seizure (for those not diagnosed with epilepsy)
• Severe shortness of breath or asthma attack
• Severe burn or wound
• Shock
• Uncontrollable bleeding
• Vomiting blood

If you have a concern that you think is an emergency and your symptoms are life-threatening, call 911 or go to an emergency department right away.