FREE COVID-19 Testing for OC Residents
December 28, 2020 by Rachael Contreras
In case you’ve been on the moon for the last ten months and need a refresher course on our planets pandemic, COVID (or “the ‘Rona” as the kids call it) here is what Orange County’s public health website has to say about it.
“Coronavirus (COVID-19) is an illness caused by a virus. The virus mainly spreads from person to person when they are in close contact (within 6 feet for at least 15 minutes within a 24-hour period during the infectious period). Many people with COVID-19 will have a mild illness or no symptoms and can recover at home without medical care. However, some people (mainly older adults and people with underlying medical conditions) are more likely to get very sick, meaning that they may need to be hospitalized or go to intensive care. Not everyone gets symptoms of COVID-19. If they do, symptoms usually show up 2-14 days after they are exposed. Here are some symptoms of COVID-19:
Fever or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Other symptoms: fatigue (feeling tired), muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea.”
Since hospitals are filling up throughout California and because COVID symptoms are so similar to flu symptoms it’s important to distinguish your sickness between COVID or just the flu, if you are suffering from symptoms. This has proven to be tricky in the lately due to the lack of knowledge of where to get a COVID test without putting yourself at risk.
Luckily, the County of Orange is providing free COVID tests to Orange County residents. All you have to do is go on their website to order a saliva or nostril swab test kit. They send it to you with a prepaid shipping label. It couldn’t be easier!
The OC Health Department website details on this read:
“Testing is currently recommended if you:
have symptoms of COVID-19
don’t have symptoms but have a known COVID-19 exposure or exposure concerns
are suspected of COVID-19 by a health care provider
are an essential worker with frequent contacts with the public
Individuals who live in Orange County should first call their health care provider for a COVID-19 test. If you have health insurance and need help finding your health care provider, call the customer service number on your insurance card, or view websites of major health care providers in Orange County.
Additional testing options are available below:
| At-Home Testing At-home test kits are available at no cost for individuals who live in Orange County and are asymptomatic or have exposure concerns Home delivery test kits; prepaid return shipping Orders will be fulfilled within 24-48 hours depending on the time your order is placed. Holidays may also affect shipping times. Online registration, order request form and patient portal Virtual clinical support through PWN Health Provider Daily limits may apply to meet service delivery times OC Health Department also lists the following things to help protect you and those around you: |
Stay home when possible. When you leave the house, avoid crowds and stay 6 feet apart from people not in your household.
Wear a face covering when you are around people not in your household, especially when indoors.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
If you have symptoms of COVID-19, get tested and stay home until you find out the results.
If you test positive for COVID-19, stay home and let close contacts know. A close contact is someone you were within 6 feet for at least 15 minutes within a 24-hour period during the infectious period.
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