Public Health Hotline
Public Health has a hotline for those who have a confirmed case of COVID-19. If you have not yet connected with a public health specialist or need more information on services, please call the COVID-19 Case Info Line toll-free at (833) 540-0473. Residents who do not have COVID-19 should continue to call 211 for resources or more information.
Medical Sheltering
If you have COVID-19, are suspected to have COVID-19, or have come into close contact with someone who has COVID-19 AND are experiencing homelessness or are unable to safely isolate at home, medical sheltering may be available on a first come, first served basis through LA County. Call the Case Info Line at (833) 540-0473 or 2-1-1 for more information and to request a referral from the Department of Public Health.
Face Coverings are Essential to Stopping the Spread
It is critical everyone remembers how to use and care for their cloth face coverings correctly. Make sure you wash or sanitize your hands before you put it on and ALWAYS make sure it covers your nose and mouth securely. How to cover up properly:
- Sanitize or wash your hands
- Carefully put on your cloth face covering so it covers your nose and mouth, avoiding touching the front of the covering
- Sanitize or wash your hands before removal
- Remove the covering by only handling the straps or untying the part not touching your face
- Place the face covering in a paper bag
- Sanitize or wash your hands after handling the face covering.
COVID-19 Testing
LA County strongly encourages all LA County residents who are interested in being tested to first contact their Primary Care Provider or Healthcare Center about receiving a test at their facility. If you do not have access to this care or are unable to contact them, dial 2-1-1 for a referral to a provider.
Testing priority is given to those in the following groups:
- People with the following symptoms: fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea.
- People working or living in places such as skilled nursing facilities, group homes, residential care facilities, and persons experiencing homelessness.
- People who were in close contact with someone with COVID-19.
Visit the COVID-19 testing website for more information and to sign up for a free test.
And whether or not you get tested for COVID-19, remember:
- If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, you need to isolate. Keep your physician informed on your symptoms and, especially if you are elderly or have an underlying health condition, seek medical care if your symptoms worsen. If you don’t have a physician, call 211 to get connected to one. And if you are having trouble breathing or have other severe symptoms, dial 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
- If you were exposed to someone with a known infection, you need to quarantine for the full 14 days. A COVID-19 test should never be used as a way to end quarantine early. It will never do that.
- The health officer orders are there to keep you and others safe, while still allowing society to reopen. A negative test cannot reassure you that you haven’t been exposed and won’t turn positive tomorrow. Don’t use a negative test as a “free pass” that allows others outside of your household to safely interact with you. It is not safe.
Click/tap here to learn more about COVID-19 testing in LA County.
You Are Not Alone
If the news surrounding COVID-19 is making you feel stressed, anxious, or depressed, visit the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH) COVID-19 mental health resource page, call their 24/7 hotline at (800) 854-7771 or text LA to 741741 to get help.
