The State of California has joined with County of Marin and OptumServe to expand testing for underserved communities. A dedicated testing site is available in San Rafael by appointment only. Make an appointment at https://lhi.care/covidtesting. If you do not have internet access, call: 1-888-634-1123. This site is open to uninsured, underinsured, undocumented and homeless individuals. If you have medical insurance, OptumServe will bill your insurance company. Tests for uninsured individuals will be paid for by the state.
The majority of people will have mild illness that is best treated at home. However, those with serious illness will be treated regardless of insurance status. Advisors will work with uninsured patients to find the best options for coverage.
Some resources for uninsured people include:
- Check with your local community health center or hospital to see if fees for testing can be waived.
- See if you’re eligible for Medi-Cal.
- See if you’re eligible for Covered California.
- See if you are eligible for care at a Federally Qualified Healthcare Center.
Source: Marin HHS, State of California
Isolation is when a person with COVID-19 stays away from everyone, including the people he/she lives with, in order to avoid getting others sick. A person must isolate for at least 10 days after the first symptoms AND be fever free for the most recent 24 hours (without fever-reducing medicine), and other symptoms improve. If someone is COVID-19 positive, but without symptoms, they must isolate for at least 10 days from the date of their positive test.
Quarantine is when people who have come in contact with someone sick with COVID-19, they must stay at home until they know if they are sick. A person must quarantine for 10 days after the last contact with an infected person.
If you do not develop symptoms, your quarantine can end:
- On day 10 from when you were last in close contact with the person with COVID-19; OR
- On day 7 from when you were last in close contact with the person with COVID-19, IF you are tested for COVID-19 on day 5 or later AND the test result is negative.
If you are not able to avoid contact with a person with COVID-19, you must stay in quarantine until 10 days from when the person with COVID-19 completes their isolation period. Your quarantine period is likely to be at least 21 days total.
Please read Marin County’s At Home Quarantine & Isolation Safety guidance document for important information and practical tips.
Most people with COVID-19 will have mild symptoms and should stay at home. They should isolate themselves in a separate room/bathroom for at least 10 days after the first symptoms AND are fever free for the most recent 24 hours (without fever-reducing medicine), AND respiratory symptoms (like cough and shortness of breath) improve.
Care at home includes bed rest, fluids, and over the counter fever reducing medicine.
If the person develops emergency warning signs for COVID-19, get medical attention immediately. Emergency warning signs include*:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion or inability to arouse
- Bluish lips or face
*This list is not all-inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.
While anyone in the home has, or thinks they may have, COVID-19, everyone in the home should quarantine and ensure rigorous cleaning and disinfection steps are taken every day.
For more information please read Marin County’s:
Source: Marin HHS, CDC
NSAIDs can be useful to control a fever and are a frequent at-home treatment for COVID-19.
Neither the World Health Organization or FDA has warned about the use of NSAIDs for COVID-19. Common over-the-counter NSAIDs include:
- Aspirin
- Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)
- Naproxen (Aleve)
Source: WHO, FDA
ISOLATION separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick:
- COVID-19 positive people must isolate
QUARANTINE separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick. These people may have been exposed to a disease and do not know it, or they may have the disease but do not show symptoms:
- Close contacts of COVID-19 positive people must quarantine
Most people will have minor symptoms and should:
- call their healthcare provider for advice
- stay at home
- isolate from others, including household members
If you develop emergency warning signs, such as difficulty breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inability to arouse, or bluish lips or face, seek medical attention immediately.
Source: Marin HHS