New Hampshire Department of Health and Human ServicesCOVID-19

Testing Guidance

Information and resources regarding testing for COVID-19 in New Hampshire.

Testing Resources

Testing Questions and Answers in Alternate Languages

Who should be tested? Can I be tested?

Anyone who meets the criteria outlined below can be tested for COVID-19:

  • Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms
  • Healthcare workers
  • Anyone over the age of 60
  • Anyone with underlying health conditions
  • Household members of vulnerable populations listed above
  • Child care staff
  • Employees who cannot avoid prolonged close contact with peers or the general public

How do I get tested?

You can be tested by:

  • Calling your healthcare provider
  • Calling Nashua City Health Department at 603-589-3456, if you live or work in Nashua.
  • For resident who live in the Greater Manchester area, please call the Manchester COVID-19 Hotline at 603-668-1547, to explore options for testing locally.
  • Calling ConvenientMD 1-822-263-0131
  • By registering through our testing registration form or calling 603-271-5980

What is an antibody test? Can I get a COVID-19 antibody blood test?

Antibody testing checks a sample of a person's blood to look for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID19. These antibodies are produced when someone has been infected, so a positive result from this test indicates that person was likely previously infected with the virus. Antibody-based tests are now available through commercial laboratories for the detection of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Antibody tests should not be used to diagnose acute COVID-19 infection because it can take about 2 weeks after infection for antibody tests to be positive. It is not yet known if a person with a positive antibody test is protected from future SARS-CoV-2 infection or has the potential to infect others. Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 antibodies will be contacted by the Division of Public Health.

Is it possible to test too early in the course of illness?

In the early stages of infection, it is possible the virus will not be detected by a viral test.

I heard it is hard to find a test. Is that true?

That was true during the start of this pandemic, but testing has since expanded to anyone in NH who has even mild symptoms of COVID-19, is over the age of 60, is a healthcare worker or has underlying health conditions.

I heard there is a mobile testing unit for COVID-19 testing. How do I sign up?

The Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS) is a self-contained unit of volunteers, which is offering mobile testing to select groups throughout the state.

I got tested and was told I could get the results from the NH Public Health Laboratories (NH PHL). How do I get my results?

If you were tested through your medical provider, urgent care, or hospital, the provider who performed your test will provide you with your COVID-19 test result. NH PHL and DPHS are only able to provide COVID-19 test results directly to the medical provider who ordered the test.

Both commercial laboratories and the NH Public Health Laboratories (NH PHL) will only report results directly to the ordering provider.

What is the turnaround time for my test results from the NH Public Health Laboratories (NH PHL)?

The turnaround time is a minimum of 72 hours from the time the NH PHL receives your specimen. That means if you got tested on Monday, your specimen may not arrive at the NH PHL until Tuesday. You results would not be available until Friday (commercial laboratories are reporting a similar turnaround time).

Who can I call to get my test results?

It's important to remember that you will only be contacted by the provider who ordered your test. The NH PHL and commercial laboratories will only report results directly to the provider who ordered your test, and they will not release those results to you if you were to call them directly.

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New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
129 Pleasant Street | Concord, NH | 03301-3852