21 + places to find a COVID test in Birmingham now + latest testing updates

Reading time: 10 minutes

LinkedInShares375
Birmingham, COVID test, COVID-19
COVID testing. Photo via Sharron Swain for Bham Now

UPDATED 1/5/22: How many people do you personally know who’ve tested positive in the past week? If you’re like us, you might need more than one hand to count. Since we know it’s hard to find COVID tests right now, and since area hospitals are begging people not to show up looking for them, we wanted to give you the latest on where you can get tested.

It’s getting harder by the day to find available Covid tests in the Birmingham area

Here are a few updates on getting tested locally:

  • UAB Hospital released a statement urging citizens to steer clear of the Emergency Department to access Covid testing or for any symptoms that do not require emergency care. Emergency departments are experiencing record numbers of patients with Covid, which is resulting in longer wait times for all patients.
  • According to CVS, due to the rise in testing, lab test results are taking 1 to 3 days. Rapid testing is unavailable at surrounding CVS Pharmacy locations at this time.
  • Walgreens has PCR and Rapid Tests still available at certain locations. Check their website to see Covid tests available near you.
  • According to Walgreens and CVS, Covid self-tests are selling out within hours of being shipped to store locations. Call your closest store to see when the latest shimpment will arrive.
  • American Family Care is still offering Covid testing to walk-ins at several locations across the Birmingham area but tests are given daily on a first-come-first-serve basis, so arrive as early as possible.
  • Find your nearest COVID-19 testing place using this online database from the Birmingham Corps.
  • Rapid Covid tests can be found online for at-home delivery at certain retailers, including Walmart. Check your location to see if there are stores near you with tests in stock.

1. UAB Medicine Urgent Care

Covid tested in Birmingham
UAB is offering Covid testing for anyone 18 and up. Photo via Jacob Blankenship for Bham Now

UAB Medicine Urgent Care announced they are offering Covid-19 testing for anyone ages 18 and up who needs to be tested before traveling. You may only receive this testing if you are not experiencing any Covid-19 symptoms.

They use a PCR/NAAT molecular lab test which is the most commonly used and accepted testing method. However, you should check with your travel destination on what kind of test is required for entry.

For those who are experiencing symptoms, call 205-975-1881 for screening. If you meet the screening criteria, you will be provided with an appointment to get tested at their Drive-Thru testing site.

  • Cost: $125 (not covered by insurance)
  • Appointment Needed: No (walk-ins welcome)

2. CVS Pharmacy

A CVS Nurse gives a patient a vaccine.
CVS has drive-thru Covid testing in Birmingham. Photo via CVS’ Facebook

CVS is currently offering Drive-Thru PCR/NAAT Covid-19 testing by appointment only. They do not offer rapid tests. The PCR/NAAT takes 1-2 days to receive results, so make sure to make an appointment in advance in order to have your results in time for your trip.

There are eight CVS locations in Birmingham and the surrounding area with currently available tests this week. Head to the CVS website to find your closest location and book an appointment.

3. Legion Field

Legion Field
Legion Field. Photo via Pat Byington for Bham Now

Covid-19 testing is available for qualifying patients. Call 205-543-2684 to see if you are eligible for an appointment and to schedule yours today.

4. Hoover Urgent Care Clinic

Hoover Urgent Care Clinic
Get Covid tested in Hoover. Photo via Hoover Urgent Care Clinic

If you are experiencing symptoms, you can get Covid tested at Hoover Urgent Care. Call (205) 987-6801 for more information and to schedule your appointment. With the rise in cases, they recommend getting there at 6AM to wait in line to get your name on the list for testing as they run out quickly.

5. Gardendale Urgent Care

Covid tested
Drive-Thru and get Covid tested in Birmingham. Photo via Jefferson County

Testing here is available to anyone with or without symptoms and is Drive-Thru only testing. Call (205) 285-8252 for more information.

However, they are only accepting a limited amount of patients per day so arrive early for your best chance of getting a test.

6. Your Kid’s Urgent Care

Your Kid’s Urgent Care is offering curbside testing for adults and kids of all ages both with or without symptoms. Call (205) 769-6800 for more information. Go to thier website to save your spot online. You can also see their current wait itmes for Covid testing there.

7. Middle Creek Medical Center, PC

To receive a test from this location, you must be a current patient and meet the clinical criteria. You may be tested for your vehicle or in-office. Call (205) 477-3737 to learn more and schedule your appointment.

8. Acton Quick Care Clinic

COVID testing
Drive-through COVID testing. Photo via UAB MHRC

Acton Quick Care Clinic is offering Covid testing to anyone, ages two years and up, regardless of symptoms or exposure. Call (205) 273-9424 for a phone consultation and to schedule an appointment. Health Care Workers and First Responders should call (205) 525-6133 to schedule an appointment.

9. Ross Bridge Medical Center

Ross Bridge Medical Center is performing Rapid antigen and PCR COVID-19 testing, as well as antibody testing, for both pediatric and adult patients. Rapid antigen tests are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis daily, so arrive early for your chance to recieve one. Call (205) 92COVID to schedule a phone consultation and schedule an appointment.

10. Alabama Regional Medical Services

Covid-19 testing at Alabama Regional Medical Services is for anyone seeking a test. This is a Drive-Thru testing site.

11. Trussville Urgent Care

Covid tested in Birmingham
Stop by Trussville Urgent Care to get Covid tested. Photo via Trussville Urgent Care

Trussville Urgent Care is offering Drive-Thru only testing available for anyone with or without symptoms. They are a walk-in-only clinic with a maximum amount of patients they take per day. Arrive before opening to get in line and be put on the list for a Covid test. They will assign you a time to come back later that day.

  • Location: 960 Gadsden Hwy, Birmingham, AL 35235
  • Hours: Monday-Friday 9AM-5PM I Saturday-Sunday 9AM-3PM
  • Cost: Free testing for people without insurance I Insurance will be billed
  • Appointment Needed: No

12. Bessemer Quick Care Clinic

Bessemer Quick Care Clinic is offering Covid testing to anyone, ages two years and up, regardless of symptoms or exposure. All you have to do is complete a telemedicine screening via their HIPAA-compliant app, Spruce.

13. TrustCare

TrustCare
Tim Flemings, a Nurse Practitioner with TrustCare in Birmingham. Photo via Nathan Watson for Bham Now

TrustCare offers the Rapid Test, PCR test and Antibody Blood test. Call (205) 203-8226 to make an appointment. Appointments should be made days in advance.

14. Cahaba Medical Care – West End Clinic

Testing here is available by appointment, or by drive-up or walk-up without an appointment, for people with or without symptoms. Call (205) 679-6325 to schedule an appointment.

15. American Family Care

American Family Care Greystone
Jordan Carter, Nurse Practitioner for American Family Care Greystone. Photo via Riley Campbell for Bham Now

At American Family Care, you can also receive the Rapid Test, PCR test and an Antibody Blood test. Get there as early as possible since Covid tests will run out later in the day. Rapid test results will come back in around 15 minutes.

  • Multiple Locations
  • Hours: Monday-Sunday 8AM-6PM
  • Cost: Free with insurance
  • Appointment Needed: No

16. Homewood COVID-19 Testing Site

Homewood is distributing Covid-19 tests to those who are eligible. Call (205)-952-6834 to schedule a phone consultation to schedule an appointment.

  • Location: 266 Snow Dr, Homewood, AL 35209
  • Hours: Monday-Friday 8AM-Noon
  • Cost: Free testing for people without insurance I Insurance will be billed
  • Appointment Needed: Yes

17. Urgent Care for Children

Covid tested
Get you and your children Covid tested. Photo via Urgent Care for Children

Urgent Care for Children has multiple locations around Birmingham. They have curbside testing available to both children and adults of all ages both with and without symptoms.

18. Total Care 280

At Total Care 280, you can get a PCR Covid Test by going to their Drive-Thru. No appointment is needed. Call their office once parked and arrive early as they can run out of tests.

19. Dr. Celeste

Covid tested in Birmingham
Get Covid tested in Birmingham today. Photo via Dr. Celeste.

Dr. Celeste is a family practice physician and is giving out PCR Covid-19 tests as well as Rapid tests and Antibody Blood tests. Schedule your curbside appointment now on their website. They are closed this Thursday and Friday as well as Monday, January 17.

20. Morgan Pediatrics

Head to the Drive-Thru Covid testing site in front of Morgan Pediatrics for a free Covid test. They also offer free flu testing in the same swab as the Covid test.

21. Walgreens

There are currently 10 Walgreens locations around the Birmingham area with available Covid tests in the coming week. You can book your appointment online. some locations have both PCR and Rapid tests while others have one or the other.

22. Agile Biodetection

Agile Biodetection is offering Covid tests in the Birmingham area. They currently only accept BCBS of Alabama, Medicare, Tricare and Cares Act for the uninsured. They accept cash or credit cards for travel testing. They have same-day appointments that you can schedule online.  Their testing uses an anterior nasal swab.

Where will you go to get Covid tested? Did we miss any available sites? Let us know by tagging us @bhamnow.

LinkedInShares375
Miranda Shaffer
Miranda Shaffer
Articles: 110

You might also like