CC Continues to Offer NIH Staff Asymptomatic Testing for SARS-CoV-2

Gloved hands hold a test tube toward camera.

A test tube with viral transport media that contains a sample to be tested for the presence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19

Photo: CDC/James Gathany

The Clinical Center continues to offer asymptomatic testing for SARS-CoV-2 to all staff, including those who are not yet eligible to return to their physical workspaces.

Although the program is voluntary, employees are strongly encouraged to participate. Asymptomatic testing helps identify people who have Covid-19 but aren’t presenting symptoms.

Testing for SARS-CoV-2 involves a traditional nasopharyngeal swab, which looks like a 6-inch Q-tip. The swab is inserted through the nose to the back of the throat, rotated several times and left in place for 10-15 seconds. The hospital also offers Covid-19 saliva tests.

To sign up for asymptomatic testing, NIH’ers can visit https://clinweb.cc.nih.gov/cct.