COVID-19 Testing Task Force

The Loudoun County COVID-19 Testing Task Force was organized to help facilitate the availability of more COVID-19 testing in the community. It provides information and recommendations to the Board of Supervisors and the County Administrator who are closely monitoring the progress of the pandemic.

Purpose

The task force is addressing the following matters:

  • Identity the steps necessary to increase the number of COVID-19 tests performed in the county overall.
  • Identify the best diagnostic tests and the efforts necessary to have access to those tests, and all necessary testing materials, and safe specimen collection activities.
  • Identify future steps to conduct serology, or antibody, testing and provide advisement/recommendations.

Resources

The documents included at the links below have been provided by members of the Loudoun County COVID-19 Testing Task Force as informative resources to physicians and the public. The information does not represent a formal position of Loudoun County Government or the Virginia Department of Health.

Testing Guidance December 2020

There are currently several testing methods to detect the virus that causes COVID-19 and many people have wondered which tests are best and which tests they should seek. The following guidance can help you determine the type of test to request, depending on your specific situation. This is general guidance and your specific care should be discussed with your health care provider.  View more about the differences between the antigen (rapid) test and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.

Type of Test to Request 

  1. If you have symptoms of COVID-19:
    Testing can be done beginning day 1 through 5 of onset of symptoms with either an antigen (rapid) or PCR test. A negative antigen test should be repeated with a PCR test, as it could be a false negative reading.  If you test positive for COVID-19, it is important that you self-isolate and stay away from others until it is safe. 
  2. If you were exposed to a positive COVID-19 individual and are not experiencing symptoms (asymptomatic):
    Testing should be done by PCR test, not antigen, and is best performed on day 5-7 after exposure to a positive COVID-19 individual. If you were exposed, stay home and away from others, quarantine, for 14 days after your last contact. 
  3. If you are asymptomatic and were not exposed to a positive COVID-19 individual. You might require a test for travel, returning to college campus or  visiting a high-risk individual:
    Testing should be done by PCR test, not antigen. A positive antigen test should be repeated with a PCR test, as it could be a false positive reading.  You should carefully follow all public health precautions after being tested (PDF). 

Loudoun County Testing Locations

Testing Task Force Recommendations

  1. Recommendation Sept. 2020
  2. Recommendation August 2020
  3. Recommendation May 2020

Asymptomatic testing

The Loudoun County Task Force is aware of the confusion regarding the best use and timing of COVID 19 testing if you DO NOT have any symptoms.

The recent statement by the CDC on this topic was interpreted in different ways by physicians, non-physicians, politicians, etc.

Here is a summary of your local trusted Infectious disease experts, healthcare practitioners, Virginia Department of Health and Government officials:

  • The CDC states “If you do not have COVID-19 symptoms and have not been in close contact with someone known to have a COVID-19 infection you do not need a test.” There continues to be a nationwide shortage of testing material. Results from PCR testing can take anywhere from 2 to 14 days. In light of this, we agree that mass testing of asymptomatic persons who have no known contact and are not in a high risk group is generally not necessary. This does not apply to routine screening or surveillance testing at work, school, or similar situations.

That said, a known contact of a person with COVID 19, as determined by the Virginia Department of Health, should be tested, if supplies are available, on day 5-7 after exposure. A negative test does not provide absolute assurance that you may end quarantine. We recommend continued avoidance of all high risk individuals for 14 days after your last known contact with the positive case.

Membership

The task force consists of community health partners, including:
  • Dr. John Farrell, Loudoun Health Council - Chairman
  • Charles Yudd, Deputy County Administrator - Co-chair
  • Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) - Matthew Mathias
  • Inova - Stacey A. Metcalfe and Dr. Jill McCabe
  • Loudoun Medical Group - Dr. Kevin O'Connor
  • Healthworks - Carol Jameson
  • Urgent care facilities - Dr. Roshelle Beckwith and Michelle Fitz (MetroMed) and Dr. John Strazzullo (Patient First)
  • Loudoun Free Clinic - Maribeth Goldin
  • Dr. Henry Rhee
  • Dr. Rebecca Levorson
  • Loudoun County Health Department Director Dr. David Goodfriend