https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/05/07/coronavirus-tests-what-are-they-how-can-you-get-one/

After major shortages and glacial delays, two different types of COVID-19 tests are now becoming more widely available at hospitals, clinics, and at academic, commercial, and public health laboratories across California. They detect different aspects of the disease.

One type of test tells you: Do you have the virus now?