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Get tested.
We recommend getting tested as soon as possible if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, even if you are vaccinated.
If you are unvaccinated, you should get tested if...
- you have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19,
- you have taken part in activities that put you at higher risk for COVID-19, such as travel, attending large gatherings, or being in crowded indoor settings, or
- your employer, such as a healthcare facility, requires routine screening.
Where to get tested for COVID-19
There are a variety of testing options in Marin County, either through a local healthcare provider, pharmacy, urgent care clinic, community test site or take-home test. Review the list below to find the right testing option for you.
While You're Awaiting Results
- Take steps to help prevent spread, including staying home, practicing physical distancing, wearing a cloth face covering, washing hands frequently, and regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces.
- Quarantine at home for 10 days if you had close contact with someone with COVID-19, even if you have no symptoms. Employees of detention facilities and long-term care facilities who have had close contact with someone with COVID-19 must quarantine for 14 days before returning to work. Click here for Home Quarantine Instructions.
- If you are sick, isolate at home until you get your results AND feel better. Click here for Self-Isolation Instructions.
- Get medical help right away if you start feeling sicker, especially if you have trouble breathing, persistent chest pain, begin to feel confused, cannot stay awake, or develop bluish lips or face.
- Call your health provider if your symptoms do not get better in a few days. Tell them you got tested for COVID-19.
Types of COVID-19 tests
There are two different types of tests – diagnostic tests and antibody tests.
Diagnostic tests can detect if you have an active COVID-19 infection and need to take steps to quarantine or isolate yourself from others. Samples for diagnostic tests are typically collected with a nasal or throat swab, or saliva collected by spitting into a tube. There are two common types of diagnostic tests available:
- Molecular tests, also known as a PCR test. The PCR molecular test is the "gold standard" for COVID-19 testing, is considered to be highly accurate and usually does not need to be repeated. Turn around averages 1-3 days, depending on lab processing.
- Antigen tests, commonly known as a "rapid test." With Antigen tests, positive results are usually accurate. Negative results may need to be confirmed with a molecular test. Turn around is usually very fast, ranging from 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the test.
Antibody tests look for antibodies in your immune system produced in response to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. An antibody test can show if you were infected by the virus in the past but it cannot be used to diagnose an active COVID-19 infection. Also, current antibody tests are not suitable to measure antibody response to the COVID-19 vaccine.
Test result timing
Getting your test results back varies greatly by the company, provider, and laboratory performing the COVID-19 test and the type of test administered:
- PCR / Molecular tests: On average, you can expect to receive your test results within 2-3 business days. However, some providers may offer expedited results (less than one day).
- Rapid / Antigen tests: Test results are usually available in less than one hour.
Results may be provided to you by phone, email or text message, depending on the provider. You should confirm your preferred communication method when scheduling your test.
Travel and Event Testing
Some states and countries require a negative COVID-19 viral test or proof of vaccination before entry. In addition, large events may require a COVID-19 viral test if you are not fully vaccinated. These tests must be completed within 24-72 hours before arrival.
Consult with airlines, destinations, or events several days before arriving. Each entity has unique test requirements and a list of preferred providers that issue acceptable results. Arriving at a gate without acceptable test results can cost you time and frustration.
Not all COVID-19 test providers in Marin County are approved for travel testing, or can guarantee test results in time for travel or event -related testing. Some may provide expedited test results for additional cost. Before scheduling your COVID-19 test, check with your test provider to see if they meet the required test result certification and timelines.
Here are some regional COVID-19 test providers that provide travel-related testing:
- Passport Health (San Rafael)
- Oakland Airport
- San Francisco Airport
- San Jose Airport
- United Airlines (SFO to Hawaii flights only)
- Hawaiian Airlines (SFO departures only)
Medical and dental procedures
Some healthcare facilities require a negative COVID-19 viral test before undergoing a medical, dental or surgical procedure. This is because most procedures involve close contact between you and your practitioner.
Confirm testing and test result requirements with your medical provider before scheduling your COVID-19 test.
Contact tracing
Marin Public Health has a team of "contact investigators" who play a crucial role to stop the spread of COVID-19. When a person tests positive for COVID-19, the team calls the person to gather a list of close contacts who are at high risk of exposure.
Everyone on that list is then contacted to arrange for testing and quarantine. While these close contacts are awaiting test results, they are commonly referred to as a Person Under Investigation (PUI).
In addition to gathering a list of close contacts, the contact investigation team evaluates their symptoms. They also provide information about quarantine and/or isolation to people with COVID-19, close contacts, and members of their households.
When to get tested
Get tested for COVID-19 if you feel sick, whether you’re vaccinated or unvaccinated. Common symptoms consistent with COVID-19 are:
- Fever
- Chills
- Cough
- Congestion
- Sore throat
- Difficulty breathing
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- New loss of taste or smell.
If you are unvaccinated or 2 weeks have not passed after your final dose, you should get tested for COVID-19 if you:
- Have a known exposure, but have no symptoms. Marin Public Health will contact you if someone who has COVID-19 tells them they were in close contact with you.
- Work in a high-risk setting, such as a hospital or medical clinic, long-term care facility, homeless shelter or prison.
- Work in an occupation where you experience frequent contact with the public on a daily basis, including jobs as first responders, teachers, personal caregivers, housekeepers, construction workers, food service / restaurant workers, gas station and grocery store workers.
If you do not meet this criteria but believe you need testing -- or need testing for travel or medical-related procedures -- please consult your insurance provider, medical provider or neighborhood medical clinic.
Frequently Asked Questions
I'm vaccinated. Do I still need to get tested?
If you feel sick, you should still get tested for COVID-19.
You are fully vaccinated 2 weeks after your final dose. Until those 2 weeks have passed, you should continue to get tested if you work in a high-risk setting or experience frequent contact with the public.
What about false positive testing results?
No test is perfect, yet fortunately false positives are relatively rare. Marin County Public Health will determine that a positive test is a false positive only when
- The initial positive test is a rapid antigen test, and
- A subsequent molecular test (i.e. PCR test, is negative and collected within 24 hours of the initial positive rapid antigen test.
An initial positive PCR result cannot be overturned by subsequent negative PCR tests, even if collected on the same day.
My doctor told me I don't need to isolate or quarantine, but Marin Public Health says I do. What should I do?
Isolation and quarantine are legal public health orders and can't be overturned by your primary care provider. If your doctor disagrees with an isolation or quarantine order, please ask them to contact the state COVID-19 CA Hotline (833)422-4255.