Your step-by-step guide to COVID-19 testing

04-02-2022

New rules for COVID-19 testing

From 1^st of April 2022, the rules for ordering and performing COVID-19 tests have been changed:

Free antigen tests are only available on referral from your doctor – based on an assessment of your health, including symptoms that may indicate COVID-19.
The PCR test will be ordered by the doctor prior to admission to hospital when he/she considers it necessary. The PCR test will be used to definitively confirm or exclude whether the symptoms of the respiratory infection with which the patient has presented to hospital are caused by COVID-19.
If the COVID-19 test is positive, the doctor will recommend self-isolation (sick leave) until symptoms have resolved. This is done in exactly the same way as for any infectious disease, such as influenza. The length of sick leave is up to your doctor (at least 7 days is recommended), depending on your condition, risk factors for COVID-19 severity (e.g. no COVID-19 vaccination, advanced age, chronic diseases such as diabetes).

How to take the RT-PCR test for free? (archive)

Sign up for the test online – In order to fill in the form you will need to log in. You can do it either:

via your bank account – if you are a client of one of the following banks: PKO Bank Polski, Bank Pekao, inteligo, BOŚ Bank, BNP Paribas, Get-in Bank, Credit Agricole, Bank Spółdzielczy w Brodnicy
or using Trusted Profile – learn more here

After logging in, all you need to do is to fill in a simple form (name, surname, phone number, address of residence in Warsaw). The test referral will be issued automatically within one hour. The information about the date and place of the test will be sent to your mobile phone.

or contact your GP doctor for test referral

If you don’t have a GP doctor yet, the first step is to register at the clinic. Those of you who are insured in ZUS/NFZ can sign-up to any clinic with a NFZ sign at the entrance or on its website. You will need to provide your PESEL/passport number and a proof of health insurance, as well as sign the patient declaration in which you choose your GP and nurse. Check the map of NFZ medical facilities here

If you have a private insurance, contact your insurance company for a list of clinics at which you can get medical help.

If you are a doctoral student or UW’s employee you can be tested for COVID-19 at Warsaw Genomics laboratory on the Ochota Campus. Please read the information here: https://welcome.uw.edu.pl/covid-19-tests-until-31st-march-for-emloyees-and-doctoral-students/

Important note:

From the time you receive your test referral, you are in quarantine, which means you are allowed to leave your home only to get tested or to see a doctor (after prior arrangement). The quarantine period lasts until you get:
a) negative test result – you are automatically released from quarantine
b) a positive test result – you start a 7-day self-isolation

Information on the test results can be found:

on the specific laboratory website – you should get a card with the website address and instructions on how to get the result when you take the swab test
at your Patient’s Online Account (IKP – Internetowe Konto Pacjenta) – to log in you will need a Trusted Profile
online on the government website if you have PESEL number and a test order number, which was texted to you after registration for the test

I have a positive test result, what next? (archive)

Within 48 hours after receiving your test result, you will get a call or a text message from the Health Department (in Polish – Sanepid) with information about the length of isolation and next steps. In the meantime, contact your doctor to determine treatment options. If you feel unwell – contact your doctor immediately or call 112 line.

Notify the University of your infection by sending an email to: Info.Covid19@adm.uw.edu.pl

After a positive test result, quarantine is changed to self-isolation, which means you must stay at home:

7 days counting from the day of receiving the test result
If symptoms of infection persist, consult your doctor about whether you should do an additional test or extend the isolation.

Isolation is lifted automatically, you do not need to take an additional test.