COVID-19 Surge Testing Sites

CDC provides no-cost COVID-19 laboratory testing through the Increasing Community Access to Testing (ICATT) program to respond to surge testing needs. ICATT works with states and local jurisdictions to assess needs. Testing providers can increase testing services availability to meet increased demand. Program contracts provide an option for short-term surge testing services if fixed testing sites cannot meet testing demand due to a surge in disease.

Links to ICATT testing sites can be found on the CDC COVID-19 Testing Locator. ICATT sites will also appear in Google searches by using the search terms “free COVID testing near me.”

The ICATT program is currently funded. There is no official start or end date for the surge testing program.

No, currently only COVID-19 testing will be provided.

Jurisdictions may apply for the ICATT Surge Response Program by completing the following steps:

• After the CDC announces a new support for surge testing, 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 the ICATT program (as needed) and complete the provided surge site Request for Information (RFI). Jurisdictions will need to provide operational details for the surge testing site(s) (e.g., location, hours, tests/day) as part of the RRF application review process.

To formally request surge sites, complete and submit the FEMA Request Resource Form (RRF), for assistance submitting a Request Resource Form (RRF) contact your ASPR Regional Emergency Coordinator. Send confirmation of submitted RRF to the ICATT program.

Once the RRF is approved and the RFI is fully completed, the ICATT program will stand up testing within seven days. Testing sites will deploy for 21 days and can be extended based on need.

ICATT surge testing sites should be prioritized for communities:

• With moderate-to-high Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) rankings (greater than or equal to .5 in the immediate census tract)
• With populations at increased risk for COVID-19 or affected by COVID-19
• Where the average COVID-19 incidence is 100 or more cases per 100,000 population over last 7 days
• With low access to COVID-19 testing resources
• Where there are large minority populations at increased risk for COVID-19
• Where the testing demand exceeds 642 tests per week

In the ICATT Surge Response Program, jurisdiction is defined as any state, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

In the ICATT Surge Response Program, a site can be set up at a fixed location using infrastructure provided by the jurisdiction (such as a government building, library, or community center), or a temporary mobile logistics unit provided by the contractor. Sites may be accessed by the public using foot access or drive through operational models.

ICATT uses census tract CDC/ATSDR¹ Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) scores to evaluate the placement of testing sites.

¹Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)

Jurisdictions may request two testing sites at one time. Additional testing sites will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Once the RRF is approved and all completed RFIs received, the ICATT program will stand up testing within 7 days.

States may request long-term community testing sites by contacting ICATT vendors or the ICATT program.

• Complete the ICATT Surge Site RFI
  • Identify a site point of contact
  • When selecting sites, states or jurisdictions can implement testing at a fixed location using infrastructure provided by the jurisdiction (such as a government building, library, or community center), or temporary mobile logistics units provided by the contractor. Note: Foot access site requires approximately 20’ X 30’ space, Drive-through site requires approximately 30’ X 30’ space
  • Select one testing method per testing site, either laboratory-based nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) or point-of-care (POC) It is recommended that jurisdictions select NAATs tests, which are provided by the federal government
• Program Coordination for surge site provided by states or jurisdictions
  • Confirm locations, testing approach, operating hours, shipping information, publicity, and provide site management through a site coordinator
  • Create signage that is easy to read from a distance
  • Place signage in highly trafficked areas near surge site
  • Update signage to reflect key information (e.g., hours, location, dates)
  • Perform on-the-ground outreach to nearby communities (e.g., signs indicating free COVID-19 testing, location, and dates may be posted in advance of the event)
  • Create signage directing traffic flow
  • Biohazard waste management
  • Temperature-controlled specimen storage
  • Nonmedical equipment and logistics personnel (POC for traffic flow, site communications, receipt of supplies, access to supplies, transportation of stored supplies)
  • Bathroom access and parking for testing staff
• Prepare for Adverse Conditions
  • Work with local jurisdiction to identify sources of relevant resources (e.g., heaters, tents) to address weather conditions
  • Develop disaster and emergency plans (e.g., for flooding, extreme heat)

Yes, the key staffing requirements for jurisdictions are as follows:

• Onsite Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel for locations if testing greater than 1,000 individuals per day
• Non-medical personnel
• Security staff if testing more than 1,000 individuals per day
• Logistics point of contact (POC)
• Any other points of contact for personnel who will: provide setup assistance, receive supplies, access supplies, transport storage supplies, and direct traffic (If a private facility is used, a person with authority to permit use of space and coordinate logistics onsite)
• Staff assistance with overall site setup, logistics, and traffic flow to and from testing location when using a parking lot for drive-through testing

Fixed testing sites will deploy for 21 days in one location before closure. To test at multiple locations during the 21-day deployment, jurisdictions may choose to implement a mobile testing site strategy.