Make a Plan to Get Therapeutics
 An important step we can each take to keep ourselves and others safe while transmission is high is to have a plan for getting therapeutics if eligible. While many people with COVID-19 have mild illness and can recover at home, others are at higher risk of getting very sick. Those who are at elevated risk for severe COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, or death are likely to be eligible to receive therapeutics, which can prevent these negative outcomes. There are many sites that can offer both the clinical assessment and medication for free.
COVID-19 therapeutics are recommended for people who have a positive COVID-19 test, have mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms, and are at high risk for severe illness due to age or certain health conditions. Healthcare providers may also recommend therapeutics based on exposures or other risks, including unstable housing, lack of access to healthcare, unsafe environments, or those experiencing racism.
For additional information about therapeutics, visit www.ph.lacounty.gov/covidmedicines or www.ph.lacounty.gov/covidmedicamentos.
Because these medications must be prescribed by a provider and be given within several days of symptom onset, it is best to talk to your provider or Public Health ahead of time to learn whether you are a good candidate and how you can receive these therapeutics.
There are 3 main ways to access therapeutics:
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Your Healthcare Provider
- LA County has a network of more than 600 providers and pharmacies prescribing and/or dispensing therapeutics.
- Ask your provider if they can provide you with the medications or a prescription if you ever have mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms.
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“Test to Treat” Programs
- These sites provide free same-day testing and free therapeutics at select pharmacies in LA County. If you’ve already been tested, you can also bring your positive test to the site to receive the medication if the onsite provider recommends and prescribes treatment.
- Find a “Test to Treat” program near you by using this search tool.
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Department of Public Health Free COVID-19 Medication Telehealth Service
- Free COVID-19 Medication Telehealth Service will help you determine whether you may be eligible for free COVID-19 therapeutics and connect you with free resources for getting tested, diagnosed, and/or prescribed the appropriate medications.
- DPH telehealth providers are available 7 days a week to screen patients for eligibility and determine which medication, if any, would be appropriate for the patient.
- Individuals determined to be eligible for oral antivirals can choose how they would best like to receive their medication, including a referral to a Test to Treat site to receive the medications or having the prescription sent to a nearby pharmacy, or having the medication shipped to them overnight. There is no charge for any of these services or the medication
- If you think you may be a candidate for therapeutics or have questions, call (833) 540-0473 or visit ph.lacounty.gov/covidmedicines or www.ph.lacounty.gov/covidmedicamentos.
- Our staff are available 7 days a week from 8:00 am to 8:30 pm to answer your questions, help you navigate the process, and connect you with these lifesaving therapeutics.
May is CalFresh Awareness Month
 The CalFresh Program (formerly known as Food Stamps) improves people's nutrition in low-income households by increasing their food-buying power so that they can purchase sufficient food to meet their household's needs.
When you apply, DPSS can expedite your CalFresh benefits by issuing on the same day or within 3 days following the date we receive your application, if one of the following applies:
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Your household's gross income is less than $150 per month and the money on hand or in the bank is less than $100; or
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Your household includes a migrant or seasonal farmworker, and you are destitute; or
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Your household's combined monthly gross income and available resources are less than your monthly rent or mortgage, plus utilities.
If you are eligible for CalFresh assistance, you will receive an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) debit card. You can use your EBT card to purchase food items at participating grocery stores, order groceries online for pick up or delivery at participating grocery stores, and participating Farmers' Markets.
For more information, visit: https://dpss.lacounty.gov/en/food/calfresh or https://dpss.lacounty.gov/es/food/calfresh
Protect Your Workers - Stock up on Free PPE for Businesses
 The newly created Economic and Workforce Development branch has partnered with PPE Unite to distribute free personal protective equipment (PPE) to local small businesses, non-profits, and social enterprises.
Businesses can get free supplies of N95s, 3ply surgical masks, and hand sanitizer to be safer at work. Head over to PPE Unite and stock up today while supplies last. Visit here to learn more about the updated LA County Health Officer Order.
Saturday, May 21, 2022
Layers of Protection Encouraged
English: With increasing COVID-19 cases due to the highly contagious Omicron variant, we encourage residents to layer in more protections and consider your risks, especially in crowded indoor/outdoor spaces and places with poor ventilation where the virus can spread more easily. (Graphic)
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Register Your Rental Property
English: Do you own rental property in unincorporated LA County? Register your rental property with LA County’s Rent Registry by September 30, 2022 and have your registration fees waived through 2023. For more info, visit: DCBA.LACounty.gov/rentregistry (Graphic)
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Sunday, May 22, 2022
Boost Up!
English: If it’s been 5 months since your last vaccine dose, it’s time to boost up! If you are vaccinated but not boosted yet, it’s not too late to #RechargeYourImmunity. Call (833) 540-0473 or visit http://VaccinateLACounty.com to find a location near you. (Graphic)
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Need a COVID-19 Test?
English: Have COVID-19 symptoms? There are many ways to get a test in LA County. With high community transmission in LA County, testing is a crucial tool to slow the spread. Find testing and learn more at COVID19.LACounty.gov/testing (Graphic)
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In Case You Missed It
County Department of Health Services Unveils Sidewalk Pick-up Program for COVID-19 PCR Test Kits
 The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services has partnered with Fulgent Genetics, a provider of COVID-19 PCR test kits and results, and the Los Angeles County Library to offer a new reservation process to obtain test kits for Los Angeles County residents.
Covid-19 testing remains an important tool to combat the spread, the new pick-up program is an additional resource for LA County residents experiencing COVID-19 like symptoms or for those who feel they may have been exposed. Residents can also continue to go to COVID-19: Testing - Health Services Los Angeles County (lacounty.gov) to find a nearby location for in-person test sites, operated by LA County or authorized partners.
LA County Department of Health Services unveiled a new contact-less pilot program, on May 12, that enables residents to reserve PCR testing kits and pick up the requested items at the curb of a designated LA County Library location. No in-person contact will occur during the reservation and pickup process.
Residents interested in the Reservation Program can go to https://picturegenetics.com/covid19/pre-registration, which is operated by Fulgent, to reserve their testing kits. Individuals who need help can call 626-350-0537 or 626-434-3596 for help making reservations. Access to the internet is needed to activate the test kits and access test results.
Upon making a reservation, recipients will need to indicate the number of kits needed, a pick-up date, and desired location. They will then receive a confirmation of their order, via email, and instructions for pick up. Up to four kits may be ordered at a time.
On the day of pick up, residents will arrive at the selected location, call a pre-designated phone number, and inform the library of their arrival. After confirmation, the librarian will direct residents to pick up their order at a secure location on site.
Residents then register their kits online and can perform their tests in their car or at home on the same day and drop the completed test kits in the provided blue receptacle at the selected location.
Test kit registration is required to obtain test results. Fulgent Genetics will notify the recipients via email to obtain their results via the secure website, where result can be reviewed and downloaded.
The Reservation Program is currently limited to three LA County Library locations including:
Pick-ups occur during those libraries’ regular operating days, with hours indicated on the reservation site.
The program will be expanded to other sites, if it proves to successfully provide kits to residents.
For more information on the COVID-19 Reservation Pick-up Testing Kit Program, or any LA Health Services program, please contact media@dhs.lacounty.gov.
Additional Resources
Access our full Social Media Toolkit here.
The County of Los Angeles appreciates your continued partnership in responding to COVID-19 questions and needs of residents. For additional information, please visit:
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