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COVID-19 testing in Sonoma County

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Did you know that if you’ve tested positive for COVID-19 and have symptoms, you are eligible for a free virtual visit with a doctor? COVID care through Sesame, a telehealth provider, is free to those 12 years and older. If you qualify for treatment, a medical professional can prescribe medication at no cost to you. Visit Sesame for a free telehealth appointment.

If you have been exposed to COVID-19 or you have symptoms, free testing is available to you at sites throughout Sonoma County. To find out details about locations, hours of operation and how to register, visit Color and enter your zip code.

To report the result of your at-home antigen test, click here. Reporting your result is confidential. Once the form is submitted, you will receive links to isolation and quarantine guidelines and available resources.

You can get free at-home tests (while supplies last) and informational resources at Department of Health Services resource tables:

  • Free at-home COVID-19 tests (while supplies last).
  • Informational resources.
  • Bilingual outreach workers are available to answer your questions.
  • All are welcome, social security and citizenship are not required.
  • See our testing calendar for times and locations.

You can get free testing at these locations:

  • Free PCR self-swab tests for people who are exposed or symptomatic.
  • Results in 24-48 hours.
  • Sites throughout Sonoma County.
  • To find out details about locations, hours of operation and how to register, visit color.com/register and enter your zip code.

If you are experiencing symptoms or have had contact with someone who has a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19, you can get free testing without health insurance or identification by visiting the CVS COVID-19 testing page. Please note, for FREE testing without health insurance, you must check at least one of the of the following in the assessment:

  • In the last 10 days, have you had contact with someone who has a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19? Count any contact that lasted longer than 15 minutes, closer than 6 feet away.
  • Have you experienced any symptoms in the last 10 days?

Offer COVID-19 testing at your organization or business

Are you interested in supporting increased testing in our community? Partner with CDPH to provide free testing through the CA Testing Taskforce. All materials and training are provided by CDPH. To learn more, visit California Coronavirus Testing Task Force. The following groups can apply:

  • Organizations, such as employer-health care or non-health care, health centers, congregate facilities, faith-based organizations, and community based organizations, etc.
  • K-12 schools.
  • Local health jurisdictions.

In partnership with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Color is bringing free COVID-19 laboratory testing for at-risk people to communities across the U.S. Your organization can help the community access care by hosting a pick-up and drop-off bin inside or outside your location. Community members self-swab using the provided kit, and drop in the drop-off bin. Your team then easily and safely packs samples for FedEx pickup. Color does the rest!

Your organization can get paid $250 for signing up and $7.50 per completed test to support the community with this critical service. The commitment is low-effort (as little as one hour per week), contact with the public is minimal, and no certifications are required.

For more information, visit Color.

When to get tested?

  • Vaccinated or not, get tested immediately if you’re feeling any COVID-19 symptoms
  • Test within 3-5 days after last exposure and wear a well-fitting mask around others for a total of 10 days, especially in indoor settings and when near those at higher risk for severe COVID-19 disease.

PCR and antigen tests

Molecular tests are also known as PCR tests. The PCR molecular test is accurate and usually does not need to be repeated. Average turnaround time is one to three days, depending on lab processing.

  • Isolate as described on our Isolation page. If possible, you can also contact your health care provider for guidance.
  • You can get PCR testing through Color, visit their site to find a location near you. 
  • Organizations, such as businesses, health centers, congregate facilities, faith-based or community-based organizations and schools, can apply for on-site PCR testing by visiting California’s COVID-19 Testing Task Force’s Get Started page.

Antigen tests are also known as rapid tests or at-home tests. With antigen tests, positive results are usually accurate, though negative tests may need to be confirmed. Average turnaround time is quite fast, ranging 15 minutes to one hour, depending on the test and/or tester.

  • Isolate as described on our Isolation page. If possible, you can also contact your health care provider for guidance.
  • Please fill in this form to self-report your at-home test result. Reporting your result is confidential. Once the form is submitted, you will receive links to isolation and quarantine guidelines and available resources.
  • If you have COVID-19, an antigen test is no longer recommended for for ending isolation after day five. IF you are fever-free for 24 hours (without fever reducing medicines) AND have no or improving symptoms you can end your isolation period.
  • If ending isolation before day 10, it is strongly recommended you wear a mask until after day 10 UNLESS you get two sequential negative antigen tests one day or more apart.
  • At DHS resource tables (while supplies last). See our testing calendar for times and locations.
  • You can also order four antigen tests per household at covidtests.gov and could receive reimbursement for up to 8 tests per month.
  • Organizations, such as businesses, health centers, congregate facilities, faith-based or community-based organizations and schools, can apply for on-site antigen testing by visiting California’s COVID-19 Testing Task Force’s Get Started page.

Did you know that the California Department of Public Health endorses the emergency use of over-the counter COVID-19 tests beyond their FDA authorized expiration date? This extension applies when the internal control line on the test is both easily visible AND the color that is noted in the test instructions. If the internal control line is not visible or the correct color, then you should not use the test. 

This emergency extension applies to all FDA authorized over-the-counter COVID-19 tests, visit the State of California Safe Schools for All Hub’s COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test Expiration Extensions letter.

More testing guidance and information

Important: Continue to practice physical distancing, wear a face covering when near other people who are not in your household, and wash your hands often.

  • If you do not have symptoms and have not been advised by a medical professional to quarantine at home, you may resume your normal activities.
  • If you are experiencing symptoms, stay home, and keep your distance from others. For more information, see our Isolation page.
  • If you have feedback or a complaint about a testing site, please fill out this form and submit via email to lfslabcomplaints@cdph.ca.gov. You can also visit CDPH’s Laboratory Field Services complaint page for more information about how complaints are handled.