Fishers COVID-19 FAQs

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COVID-19 Information & Medical Support
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Fishers COVID-19 Information & Support

What stage/level are we currently in on the Fishers Health Department’s Community Risk Scale?
Find the Community Risk Scale in the COVID Data Center.

Where can I find the latest orders and recommendations?
See Fishers Health Department's current orders and recommendations.

Are masks mandatory within Fishers?
While masks are not mandatory within Fishers city limits, the Fishers Health Department recommends following the CDC's mask guidance. Private businesses can mandate mask-wearing at their business.

What resources are available for Fishers residents to get information on the COVID-19 situation locally?

Testing

Testing at the Fishers Testing Site

Who is eligible to receive COVID-19 testing? 
All Hoosiers ages 5+ are eligible for testing. Patients do not have to be symptomatic in order to take the test. Appointments are required at the Fishers Testing Site.

How do I sign up for a test? 
Hoosiers should visit the testing sign up page to schedule an appointment. If you need assistance or do not have access to a computer, call the Coronavirus Hotline at 317-595-3211. No walk-up testing will be permitted. 

Can I get a rapid test?
Fishers Health Department is out of stock for rapid tests. Please visit the following website to find a location with rapid test availability - https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/covid-19-testing-information/.

You can now get at-home rapid tests per household through the federal program. Additionally, insurance carriers are required to cover at-home rapid testing. More information about that program is available here.

What do I need to do to get my child tested?
Parents and guardians can schedule appointments for children ages 5-17. Patients wishing to secure a COVID-19 testing appointment for their minor child(ren) 5 and older will need to consent for any minor and accompany the child to the testing.
 
Minor children who are sick or experiencing any unusual symptoms should be fully assessed by their primary medical provider. COVID-19 testing are not medical evaluations and should not be considered a substitute for any testing ordered by a medical provider.

Do I have to be a resident to get tested? 
 No, you do not have to be a resident to get tested. 

Where does testing take place? 
Testing is drive-up at the Fishers Health Department clinic located at 8937 Technology Drive. See the Testing Site Map for details. Appointments are required. 

When is the Fishers Health Department performing COVID-19 testing?
Find testing hours on the Testing page. Appointments are required, 

How quickly can I get results?
Most results are returned within 3 days; however, we cannot guarantee a specific time frame for result turn-around. 

How will I receive my results?
Individuals will receive email or text notifications once test results are reported. Patients should reference their confirmation email or text message for more information. 

Who will conduct testing? 
Qualified and trained testing technicians will perform COVID-19 tests. Test results will be provided by the Indiana State Department of Health's lab network for PCR tests. 

Is the testing site ADA accessible? 
The City of Fishers COVID Testing Site is ADA Accessible. Wheelchair accessible taxis and vehicles are able to come to the drive-thru testing site and the testing crew on-site will assist to ensure the testing can be completed successfully.

Can I bring my pets while I get tested?
Please keep your pets secure while attendants are near the car to ensure ease of testing.

Can multiple people in a car get tested?
Testing is available for multiple people in the same car, but please ensure that everyone being tested has completed the entire registration prior to arriving. All individuals to be tested must have an appointment for the day you are attempting to test. If you have difficulty scheduling an appointment, please contact 2-1-1 or our Fishers COVID Hotline at 317-595-3211 for assistance.

What types of tests will be conducted? And what is the efficacy rate?
The test is a PCR nasal swab test. According to our lab partners, Mid America Clinical Laboratories, their test has 95% efficacy. 

Contact Tracing

What happens if I test positive? 
The Fishers Health Department no longer conducts contact tracing for COVID except in outbreak situations. Individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 will need to follow-up with their contacts to notify them. For more information, please see the latest COVID -19 Guidance and Recommendations. 

General Testing Questions

Can I use the Fishers Testing Site results for my pre-surgery testing requirement?
The Fishers COVID-19 test is not a substitute for any testing ordered by a physician and/or ordered prior to a surgical procedure.

Where can I get a test for travel purposes?
If you need access to testing for travel purposes, the following providers guarantee turnaround times for travel:

When should I get tested?
If you are testing due to close or direct contact to COVID-19, we recommend that you choose an appointment 5 days from the date of your last exposure to the infected individual.

Do I have to keep testing until I get a negative test?
If you receive a positive test and complete your quarantine, you do not need to be tested again for 90 days. Please reach out to your PCP and get a letter stating you can return to work/school.

Should I take a test if I am asymptomatic?
Yes, testing asymptomatic individuals is imperative in slowing the spread of the virus as individuals can test positive for COVID-19 and have no symptoms of the infection. These individuals can potentially infect other people especially those with weakened immune systems and/or co-morbidities that put them at increased risk for severe infection and/or death. Asymptomatic individuals are not eligible for rapid testing.

The City of Fishers Health Department has the capacity for testing and recommends that anyone who has been exposed to COVID-19 gets a PCR test whether or not they have symptoms. 

Is antibody testing available? 
Not at this time. A note from Chief Medical Director, Dr. Indy Lane:

Antibody tests for COVID-19 virus (SARS-COV-2), also known as serological tests, are available to detect antibodies to the COVID-19 virus in an individual’s blood. Antibody testing cannot be used to diagnose or rule out a COVID-19 infection. A positive COVID-19 antibody test means there are antibodies to COVID-19 in an individual’s blood and indicates exposure to the virus even in asymptomatic people. Currently, we are uncertain if a positive antibody test provides protection against COVID-19 or prevents reinfection. At this time, the value of antibody testing is limited and we do not fully understand how the tests can be used to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infections. Everyone, regardless of their antibody status, should follow the recommended CDC guidelines such as covering the nose and mouth with a mask when in public or around symptomatic people, social distancing, and frequent handwashing to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus in our communities.

How can I prepare my child for testing?
Prior to bringing a young child for testing, parents and guardians are encouraged to watch the video with their child about the testing process to prepare them for the testing procedure. Learn more on how to support your child during the testing procedure with this video from Mayo Clinic.

Businesses & Employers

Are Fishers businesses eligible for testing? 
Extensive education is available on the Fishers Economic Development website for businesses to provide recommendations and guidance in accordance with CDC guidelines in regards to cleaning and disinfecting techniques, physical space layout to ensure social distancing, and how to utilize the city testing software and facility to ensure rapid testing opportunities are made available.  At this time, the Fishers Health Department is not able to support businesses desiring to implement a rapid testing policy with City-provided tests. Business owners are encouraged to reach out to the Fishers Health Department for other options in designing a testing policy.

What happens if an employee tests positive for COVID-19? What should I do?
See the latest CDC guidance for businesses and employers.

How much money is being spent on Fishers' COVID-19 testing? 
The City of Fishers initially allocated $2 million dollars to provide free testing to residents. Most of this amount has been reimbursed through federal aid dollars via Federal CARES Act and FEMA. Testing and other COVID response activities are primarily supported by federal aid and state grants allocated to local health departments.

Where is the funding for the free testing coming from? 
While the state of Indiana does not require a municipality to have a cash reserve policy, the City of Fishers has maintained a policy of holding cash reserves of at least 50% of the following year’s projected property tax revenue. The City’s fiscally responsible management has provided the City with excess cash reserves for a “rainy day." That day has come, and there is no more worthy use of the City’s funding than to be able to provide its residents with the ability to request and receive a COVID-19 test free of charge. The Fishers City Council approved the resolution 8-1 to appropriate those reserve funds to pay for these tests. 

Will the department provide local recommendations related to COVID-19? 
Yes, in coordination with the City of Fishers, the Fishers Health Department will advise on the guidelines and recommendations for the community. Currently, the Department is following all CDC recommendations and guidelines. The Fishers Health Department has published Fishers community-wide data, as well as Testing Site data.

How will the Fishers Health Department work with the Hamilton County Health Department and Indiana State Department of Health? 
The Fishers Health Department will report data and coordinate with the Indiana Department of Health as required by state law. The Health Department will coordinate with the Hamilton County Health Department as needed. 

Will the Health Department operate beyond the COVID-19 pandemic? 
Yes. The Fishers Health Department will conduct all State-required activities and programs.

What non-COVID-19 services will the Fishers Health Department offer? 
See the full list of Fishers Health Department services.

What other Hamilton County municipalities currently have their own health department? 
Fishers is the first municipality in Hamilton County, and the third in Indiana, to establish its own health department.  

Is this going to raise my taxes? 
No. The Fishers Health Department will be financially supported by existing tax revenue that is currently allocated at the County level.

Have questions?

Call:

  • 2-1-1
  • Fishers Covid Hotline: 317-595-3211
  • Indiana Dept of Health Testing Hotline:1-877-826-0011