COVID-19 Surge Testing Sites
The ICATT program will continue to provide no-cost COVID-19 testing for uninsured people that are symptomatic or exposed. More than 19,000 ICATT sites will offer no-cost COVID-19 vaccines under the CDC Bridge Access program to adults without health insurance and adults without full vaccine insurance coverage. An estimated 10,000 ICATT sites continue to support testing and disease surveillance needs at non-emergency levels. A list of no-cost COVID-19 testing sites can be found on the COVID-19 Testing Locator website. To find a no-cost COVID-19 vaccine near you please visit vaccines.gov.
The ICATT program works with testing vendors to increase availability of testing services when there is a surge in testing demand. Additionally, ICATT can coordinate with state and local public health agencies, federal partners, and ICATT testing vendors to provide no-cost and short-term COVID-19 surge testing sites to socially vulnerable communities.
Short-term COVID-19 surge testing sites
Short-term surge testing sites can be used to rapidly increase testing availability in a community due to a surge in COVID-19. Applications from state health departments for short-term surge testing sites may be considered when fixed testing sites are no longer able to meet increased testing demand.
Testing methods available at ICATT short-term surge testing sites
Jurisdictions receiving a short-term surge testing site may choose one testing method per testing site, either laboratory-based nucleic acid amplification test (NAATs) or point-of-care (POC) tests. People typically receive their test results the same day or day after getting tested. All results are reported to public health agencies according to state and federal law. Jurisdictions may alternatively choose to use their own POC tests.
How to apply for a surge site
(Currently not accepting surge site requests)
- CDC will announce that the ICATT program is accepting surge applications.
- Public Health Departments (PHD) can reach out to the ICATT program, CDC Health Department Liaison Officer, or Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response Regional Emergency Coordinator (ASPR REC) to express interest in a surge testing site(s). Requests are only accepted from state health departments; local health departments should coordinate through their state health department.
- Attend an initial introductory meeting with ICATT program (as needed) and complete the provided surge site Request for Information (RFI), in which jurisdictions will need to provide operational details for the surge testing site(s) (e.g., location, hours, tests/day).
- Contact your ASPR Regional Emergency Coordinatorfor assistance in submitting a Request Resource Form (RRF). Send confirmation of submitted RRF to the ICATT Program at ICATTProgram@cdc.gov.