COVID-19 Testing

Nashua DPHCSThe City of Nashua Division of Public Health and Community Services (DPHCS) is offering a free drive-thru COVID-19 testing (PCR nasal swab) every Tuesday from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Elm Street Parking Garage (14 Elm Street, Nashua, NH 03060). Testing is quick, easy, and comfortable. To schedule an appointment, complete the form below or call the Nashua COVID-19 Hotline at 603-589-3456. We accept a limited number of vehicles without an appointment, but they will not be accepted after 4:15 p.m.

We recommend individuals get tested if they have been: COVID Testing Graphic Opens in new window

  • Exposed to someone with confirmed COVID-19 (within six feet for 10 minutes or more, regardless of mask use),
  • Experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, and/or 
  • Referred to get tested by their healthcare provider or the health department.

Before scheduling a testing appointment, please note:

  • Preference is given to those who are uninsured or essential workers. 
  • Pre-travel COVID-19 screenings are not offered at this clinic. 
  • Results are returned by phone approximately 72 hours after testing, but test results are not guaranteed to be returned in this time frame. We ask that you do not call us for a test result, we will call you as soon as your result is available.
  • Repeat COVID-19 testing for positive tests is not performed. Please call 603-589-3456 if your employer is requiring a negative COVID-19 test after testing positive.

COVID-19 Testing Registration Banner Opens in new window

Clinic Cancellation Policy

For the health and safety of our staff and community, the Nashua DPHCS COVID-19 Testing Clinics will be cancelled or suspended if strong winds, heavy rain, lightening, thunder, ice, snow, or other extreme weather is forecast during the time of scheduled clinics. Our staff will make every attempt to notify those with appointments and those who want to attend clinics of the cancellations. Information about the cancellation or suspension of testing clinics will be posted here on our website and on our social media accounts. If you have any questions, call the Nashua COVID-19 Hotline at 603-589-3456, available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Additional Testing Sites

Harbor Care Health & Wellness

  • Location: 45 High Street, Nashua
  • Mondays: 3 to 6 p.m.
  • To schedule an appointment, call 603-821-7788

Southern New Hampshire Medical Center

  • Location: Southern New Hampshire Medical Center West Campus (29 Northwest Blvd., Nashua)
  • If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, call 603-577-CARE (2273), Option 1 to schedule an appointment.
  • If do not have symptoms of COVID-19, call 603-402-2080 to schedule an appointment.

St. Joseph Hospital

Statewide Testing

About COVID-19 Testing

COVID-19 testing is critical to measure the spread of this disease within our community and assist our regional response efforts. When we are able to identify positive cases, Public Health Nurses are able to track contacts of positive cases and place individuals into isolation and quarantine, as well as provide education. When more people stay home and are away from others, even if asymptomatic, they can help decrease the spread of COVID-19 throughout our community. 

Types of Testing

The different types of tests serve different purposes and have different limitations. Knowing the facts about these tests is essential to making decisions that are best for our public’s health. 

  • PCR Testing: A viral COVID-19 test tells you if you have a current infection using an oral or nasal swab. 
  • Rapid Antigen Testing: A rapid COVID-19 test is an antigen test that can quickly detect the presence of current infection.
    • Abbott BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 rapid tests detect the presence of protein antigens from SARS-CoV-2 in individuals suspected of COVID-19 by their healthcare provider within the first seven days of symptom onset. 

Test Results

Stay home (from work, school, etc.) if you or someone in your household is waiting for a COVID-19 test result due to symptoms of COVID-19 or a known exposure. Whether you test positive or negative for COVID-19, no matter the type of test, please continue to take preventive measures to protect yourself and others.

If you test positive for COVID-19:

Know what protective steps to take if you are sick or caring for someone. If you receive a positive test result, you either:

  • Currently have COVID-19, with or without symptoms. You will be notified by a public health professional who will give you guidance on isolation and quarantine for you and your family members. They will also discuss the daily monitoring process to keep you, your family, and our community safe. 
  • OR 

  • You have been positive for COVID-19 in the past, completed isolation, and are retesting. The test may come back positive. If you have had COVID-19 previously and have been isolated at least 10 days, without fever for three days, and have had improvement of respiratory symptoms, CDC guidance states that you are no longer contagious (able to spread the virus to someone else).

If you test negative for COVID-19:

You did not have COVID-19 at the time of testing. This result does not mean that you are immune from COVID-19 in the future. Please practice protective measures to reduce your risk.

Nashua Testing Data

To learn more about the data collected from our Nashua COVID-19 testing clinics, visit the Greater Nashua Data Dashboard hosted on LiveStories.

For More Information


Nashua COVID-19 Hotline: 603-589-3456