COVID-19 Testing Clinic Eligibility & Guidance
Effective August 1, 2022
Date: 8/11/2022
Non-emergent PCR COVID testing will be batched and ran only on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Due to a decrease in the demand for COVID testing, we are realigning our resources to continue to meet our mission. Effective August 1, 2022, non-emergent PCR COVID testing will be batched and ran only on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. However, home COVID Antigen tests will continue to be available 24/7 for staff and beneficiaries to provide rapid results. Rapid PCR testing will continue to be available for admissions, travelers (with itinerary or orders in hand), and VIPs.
Please consult the charts below for estimated turn-around times and recommended test days for planned testing needs. Please educate patients regarding these changes in expected results. Home antigen testing may be preferred the option for those needing more rapid but non-emergent results.
| Swab Date |
Results Expected |
| Monday |
24-48 hours |
| Tuesday |
48-72 hours |
| Wednesday |
24-48 hours |
| Thursday |
48-72 hours |
| Friday |
24-48 hours |
- Home rapid antigen test kits can be acquired during clinic hours at the FBCH AOD desk, Fairfax Health Center, Dumfries Health Clinic, and Dilorenzo Pentagon Health Clinic. The test kits are also available 24/7 at the Emergency Department Reception desk.
- There is no routine PCR test collection on Saturdays/Sundays and holidays.
IMPORTANT NOTE: For further information, please call the hotline at: 571-231-7777 for recorded updates.
Thank you for your patience during this transition, and we look forward to serving you soon.
Previous COVID Testing Clinic Updates
Date: 5/3/2022
FBCH COVID-19 DRIVE-THRU TESTING CLINIC RELOCATION
Beginning Monday, May 9, 2022, the Belvoir Hospital COVID-19 Drive-thru testing site will relocate from the Emergency Room parking lot to the Fort Belvoir Community Center in an effort to consolidate care and to better serve our beneficiaries.
The new address is: 10300 Taylor Rd, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060 and is located directly across the street from the hospital.
The clinic will be open Monday to Friday, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Beneficiaries may receive a PCR test, and also may be eligible to pick up an ELLUME antigen home test kit at this location.
COVID-19 Drive-thru testing clinic operational hours will continue to follow OPM guidance, and is closed weekends and federal holidays.
IMPORTANT NOTE: For further information, please call the hotline at: 571-231-7777 for recorded updates.
Thank you for your patience during this transition, and we look forward to serving you soon.
Date: 1/7/2022
WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE SICK WITH COVID-19 OR IF YOU ARE EXPOSED TO SOMEONE WITH COVID-19?
Please see these links for the latest guidance from the CDC.
https://www.cdc.gov/.../if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html
https://www.cdc.gov/.../your.../quarantine-isolation.html
FBCH DRIVE-THRU COVID-19 TESTING ELIGIBILITY
The COVID-19 Testing Clinic is limited to ONLY the following individuals until further notice:
- Active Duty personnel and all FBCH beneficiaries who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. For beneficiaries who experienced a direct exposure, you cannot get tested until 5 or more days after exposure.
- Active duty personnel traveling on orders for which COVID-19 testing is required prior to travel. Orders will be requested for verification. We DO NOT test for personal travel.
- Patients who need testing for a FBCH procedure this week, please see specific pre-procedure testing instructions below.
The clinic is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding Federal Holidays.
- The line opens one hour prior to the testing clinic opening. NO vehicles will be allowed to line up prior to that time.
- During periods of heavy demand, patients will be given a ticket with an assigned time to return to the drive-thru line for testing.
If you are experiencing emergency warning signs for COVID-19, seek emergency medical care immediately:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone
Pre-Op Testing Instructions
Please follow the Pre-procedural testing instructions given to you by your provider.
This testing is now done in the Ambulatory Procedure Unit (APU) from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
COVID-19 Lab Results
Your results should be available within 24 to 48 hours. You, your sponsor, or parent are asked to review your results through the TRICARE Online Patient Portal. You can also contact your assigned clinic and/or PCM for your results during normal working hours. You are responsible for notifying your supervisor/commander or employer about your results. It is recommended that parents of school-aged children consult their school for school-specific policies.
*If you do not understand your lab result from Tricare Online, please call your PCM or the COVID-19 clinic for clarification at 571-231-0532.*
Date: 12/28/2021
We understand there is a lot of concern about the Omicron variant of COVID-19, and a high demand for testing. We are receiving a massive number of phone calls, secure messages and voice messages requesting COVID testing information. We appreciate your patience and are working tirelessly to test as many beneficiaries as we can.
*Please note at this time we are experiencing an extremely high-volume of patients wishing to be tested. The wait time for testing at our COVID-19 Testing Clinic is approximately 3-4 hours. Due to this high volume, please note patients may be asked to leave and come back at a later time when the line approaches a certain length.
The COVID Testing Clinic line closes approximately one-hour prior to the testing clinic closing time. *Higher traffic volume may result in the line closing earlier than one-hour prior to clinic closure. *No other cars will be allowed in line after this point.
Date: 12/23/2021
The FBCH COVID-19 Testing Clinic is located outside of the Emergency Department, and is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday.
The testing clinic is currently closed on weekends and Federal Holidays.
Special Holiday Hours:
- December 24, Closed
- December 27, 8 a.m. to Noon
- December 30, 8 a.m. to Noon
- December 31, Closed
If you have had direct* contact PLEASE WAIT 5-7 DAYS from the date of contact to come in for testing. Please follow all social distancing guidance and measures until that time.
Please Note: We DO NOT TEST for PERSONAL TRAVEL
*Direct exposure is being in contact with a COVID-19 positive individual at a distance of less than 6 feet for over 15 minutes.
We know your time is important, therefore if you have questions on testing eligibility, please call 571-231-0532 to speak with a Triage Nurse before heading to the FBCH COVID-19 Clinic.
Date: 8/31/2021
The FBCH COVID-19 Testing Clinic is located outside of the Emergency Department, and is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday.
The testing clinic is currently closed on weekends and Federal Holidays.
Date: 3/22/2021
Beginning Monday, March 22, 2021 the COVID-19 Testing Clinic (located outside of the Emergency Department) will operate on the following schedule:
- 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday
- CLOSED on Saturday and Sunday
- CLOSED on all Federal Holidays
We know your time is important, therefore if you would like to get tested for ANY of the following reasons, please call (571) 231-0532 to speak with a Triage Nurse before heading to the FBCH COVID-19 Clinic:
- Elective Travel
- COVID-19 exposure but feeling well
- Admittance to nursing homes, schools, camps, etc.
- Testing of multiple family members
For questions regarding COVID-19 testing, please contact: 571-231-0532.
Please Note: The COVID Clinic hours follow local OPM guidelines. Additional closures or changes in normal operation hours may be impacted by inclement weather.