COVID-19 Testing

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 Testing1

  • 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

 

 

To find a FedEx drop-off location or call (800) 463-3339 to schedule a pickup.

Drive-thru Testing (Super Sites)1

  • COVID-19 and flu testing at no cost
  • Two locations:
    • Anaheim Convention Center
    • OC Fair & Event Center
  • Appointments are strongly encouraged to avoid delays and wait time

 

 Walk-up State Testing Sites1

  • Testing at no cost recommended for:
    • People without symptoms (asymptomatic)– such as health care workers, first responders, and other essential workers; and
    • Individuals who have had close contact to someone with COVID-19
  • Several locations throughout Orange County
    • Buena Park
    • Orange
    • Santa Ana
  • No medical provider onsite

or
Call (888) 634-1123 if you do not have internet access.

 

Community Center (Network) for those with Symptoms1
*Services are prioritized for non-English speaking individuals who live in Orange County

  • COVID-19 testing at no cost
  • Free medical assessment (check-up)
  • Clinical support if desired
  • Several locations throughout Orange County

Find a location

Pop-up Sites/Events1
*Services are intended to ensure equitable access and prioritized for non-English speaking individuals that live in Orange County

Latino Health Access

  • Walk-up and drive-thru COVID-19 testing at no cost only for individuals who live in Santa Ana and Anaheim
  • Locations in Santa Ana & Anaheim
  • Clinical and support services if desired

Asian Pacific Islander Taskforce

  • Walk-up COVID-19 testing at no cost
  • Locations throughout Orange County
  • Clinical and support services if desired

Find an event or for more information

 

Latino Health Access
Or call (714) 805- 7838
7 a.m. - 8 p.m., Monday – Sunday

 

 

Asian Pacific Islander Taskforce

 

Community-based Clinics, Pharmacies, Urgent Cares, and Labs Testing 

  • Many locations offer testing without any co-pays upon health insurance verification
  • CVS and others may provide testing at no cost for people without insurance
  • Please contact them first to verify any costs and to make an appointment.

Find a location
  • 1NOTE: The COVID-19 Testing provided by licensed medical practitioners is at no cost to you because third party payors are billed. Third party payors include: Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance plans, HRSA, CA DHCS and/or the Orange County Health Care Agencies. Under the FFCRA, payors are not allowed to impose any cost-sharing requirements (deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance).

Community members with general questions related to COVID-19 can contact the County of Orange COVID-19 Hotline at (714) 834-2000. For medical questions, residents can call the Health Referral Line at (800) 564-8448. COVID-related health tip handouts are also available.

Types of Testing

There are three kinds of tests for COVID-19: PCR/viral tests and serology/antibody tests.

  • A PCR or molecular test tells you if you have a current infection. It is taken with a swab in the mouth, nose or throat.
  • An antigen test is a newer COVID-19 test that tells if you have a current infection. It is taken with a nasal or throat swab.
  • An antibody (serology) test does NOT tell you if you are infected currently. It only tells you if you had a previous infection and currently is not recommended for individual use. It is done through a needle or fingerstick to get a blood sample.

For more information on the different types of tests visit HERE.

Resources on this page are for PCR/viral tests or antigen testing for COVID-19 in Orange County.

Note: Starting November 2020, Orange County COVID-19 Testing Super Sites and other select sites will begin testing for COVID-19 and the flu at the same time.

Clearance from Isolation and Return to Work for Persons with Confirmed COVID-19 Infection

Persons with confirmed COVID-19 infection can have isolation precautions discontinued when their illness improves by three criteria:

  • At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared and
  • At least 24 hours have passed since last fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and
  • Other symptoms have improved.

Source of changes: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/disposition-in-home-patients.html

CDC no longer recommends the test-based strategy to determine when to discontinue home isolation, except for rare exceptions.