Preparation and Prevention
COVID-19 Testing
We strongly encourage all LA County Residents who are interested in being tested to first contact their Primary Care Provider or health plan about how to access testing. Testing offered through the County of Los Angeles and the testing partners are available to any Los Angeles County resident regardless of immigration status.
At this time, testing is prioritized for: Anyone with symptoms of COVID. These include
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
- All essential workers regardless of symptoms. This includes:
- Health care workers
- First responders
- Social service employees
- Utility workers
- Food supply workers
- Other public employees
- People who are either over 65 or have chronic underlying health conditions.
Understand how COVID-19 is spread
COVID-19 is likely to spread in the same way as other respiratory illnesses like influenza. It is thought to spread from an infected person who has symptoms to others by:- Droplets produced through coughing and sneezing
- Close personal contact, such as caring for an infected person
- Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands
Teach your family the importance of taking steps to prevent infection
There is no vaccine or cure for COVID-19 at this time. Antibiotics only treat infections caused by bacteria so don’t work against the virus that causes COVID-19. The best thing you can do to protect yourself is to take steps to avoid infection:
- Wash your hands often and do it thoroughly. Use soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol for at least 20 seconds.
- Minimize close contact with others when possible.
- Limit close contact with people who are sick. Try to stay at least 6 feet away from someone who is sick – for example, if you see someone coughing, move away.
- Routinely clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
- Do not share objects such as utensils, cups, food, and drink.
- Get a flu shot to protect against influenza.
Take extra care if you are at risk of serious illness from COVID-19
Some people are more likely to become seriously ill if they get COVID-19. This includes the elderly, people with HIV or cancer who may have weakened immune systems, and those with heart or lung disease. It is very important that these people take extra care to avoid close contact with other people who are sick and contact their healthcare provider immediately if they do become sick.
Know what to do if you become ill:
- Stay at home or go home as soon as possible and self-quarantine if you begin to feel unwell, even if you have mild symptoms such as headache and slight runny nose.
- Wash your hands well and often, for at least 20 seconds at a time.
- Cover your cough and sneezes with a tissue, and then dispose of the tissue and clean your hands immediately. If you do not have a tissue, use your sleeve (not your hands).
- Stay at least 6 feet away from others.
- Do not care for others if possible while you are sick.
- If you have pets, avoid contact including petting, snuggling, being kissed or licked, and sharing food while you are sick.
- If you must care for people or pets while you are sick, wash your hands before and after.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
- Do not share objects such as utensils, cups, food, and drink as well as personal hygiene items like toothbrushes and towels.
- Get plenty of fluids.
- Over-the-counter cold and flu medications can reduce fever and help you feel better. Remember to follow the instructions on the package instructions. Note that these medicines do not stop you from spreading germs.
- Children should not be given medication that contains aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) because it can cause a rare but serious illness called Reye’s syndrome. Medicines without aspirin include acetaminophen (Tylenol®) and ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®).
- Children younger than age 2 should not be given any over-the-counter cold medications without first speaking with a doctor.
- Seek medical care, if needed.
Watch for signs of serious symptoms such as worsening fever, rapid breathing, shortness of breath or dehydration (unable to keep fluids down).
What is Social Distancing?
Social distancing is a practice recommended by public health officials to stop or slow down the spread of contagious diseases. It requires the creation of physical space between individuals who may spread certain infectious diseases. The key is to minimize the number of gatherings as much as possible and to achieve space between individuals when events or activities cannot be modified, postponed, or canceled. Achieving space between individuals of approximately six feet is advisable. Additionally, there is a particular focus on creating space between individuals who have come together on a one-time or rare basis and who have very different travel patterns such as those coming from multiple countries, states or counties.
For more information, see the Gathering Guidance (PDF).
For more information, see the Gathering Guidance (PDF).
Should I wear a mask?
The California Department of Public Health, along with the Los Angles Public Health Department, require that ALL individuals wear masks when not at home or around those you life with. Masks are required in order to enter any public space or private business/food establishment to limit the spread of disease from person to person.