COVID-19 Testing for County Essential Workers

COVID-19 Testing for County Essential Workers

This email shares information about a new program the County launched to ensure you have convenient, free, and reliable access to testing for COVID-19. The County and the California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) want you to know that because you deal with the public in your work, you may be tested on County time, with your supervisor’s approval, and at no cost to you.

Message from Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, Chair of the Board

I want to extend my gratitude to County workers on the frontline of this health crisis. As your employer, the County will continue to offer you services and support during and after the pandemic. That extends to COVID-19 testing. Although our County testing sites have been a critical resource to our workforce, I am pleased to announce the launch of a new COVID-19 testing program created just for you. I hope you use this opportunity – and know that we will continue to work to ensure your safety and wellbeing. Thank you for all you do.

County of Los Angeles Essential Worker Testing Centers

Testing Centers will open across the County on January 6, 2021 at seven locations:

• Alondra Library (Norwalk)
• Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library (Carson)
• East Los Angeles Library
• Glendale DPSS Building
• La Puente Library
• Lancaster Library
• San Fernando Library

In order to receive your test for free, you must first contact your health plan. If they cannot schedule you for a test within 48 hours, you may use the County’s Essential Worker Testing Centers. See “How to receive no-cost COVID-19 testing” in the blue box on the right for the steps to get a test.

Testing at no cost to you - even without symptoms

Even if you feel well and don't have any symptoms (asymptomatic), you may want to consider getting a COVID-19 test. Like other viruses, you can have COVID-19 and not know it. Most people who contract the virus will be asymptomatic before they experience symptoms of the illness. Some people may even have the virus and never get sick at all – however, they can still infect others with the virus.

If you think you have symptoms of COVID-19?

Stay home, avoid contact with others and immediately contact your health plan or primary care physician to schedule an appointment to obtain a COVID-19 diagnostic test based on your medical provider’s recommendation, or about 3-5 days after a known exposure.

Additional resources

Click the link below for Frequently Asked Questions and More Resources. 

• Final Employee FAQs County Essential Worker Testing Program.pdf

How to receive no-cost COVID-19 testing

Use these steps to ensure you do not have to pay for your test.

Call your health plan – Say you’re an asymptomatic essential worker and ask for an appointment. The plan must schedule you within 48 hours.

If the plan cannot meet the deadline, you may use a Los Angeles County Essential Worker Testing Centers.

1. Reserve your test using Chrome or Microsoft Edge at this link. 

 picturegenetics.com/covid19/lacounty

2. Declare that you are an essential worker and provide your County medical insurance information.           

3. Create a user account to use to receive your results and choose a testing location.

4. Check in with your County badge to pick up your self-collected test kit. Go to your car and do the quick and easy collection process. Then return the completed kit. 

5. You’ll receive an email to alert you to check for your results in approximately 30 hours. If you receive a positive test, you’ll receive a call from a doctor with next steps.

Additional questions? Find your Departmental Human Resources office contact below.