COVID-19 Response​

The Medical Countermeasures (MCM) Strategy Unit is continuing to assist local health departments with access to diagnostic testing resources. These resources are needed to respond to outbreaks of respiratory virus such as COVID-19.

Resources for Facilities that Serve High-Risk Populations

The MCM Strategy Unit is continuing to support facilities that provide care for populations that are at high-risk for severe disease. These include residents of skilled nursing facilities and long-term care facilities, and those who participate in elder care programs. Eligible facilities can order free at-home tests at the CDPH  At-Home Test Order Form page until December 31, 2024.​  CDPH recommends that organizations transition to the federal Health and Human Services (HHS) Health Partner Ordering Portal (HPOP) where tests are available to order through 2025. Eligible California organizations for this program are entities that provide resources, services and/or care to the uninsured/underinsured and/or those over the age of 65, including:

• ​Community based organizations (CBOs) that provide services and resources to the uninsured/underinsured, or those over the age of 65, including shelters, food banks, and faith-based organizations with food/clothing pantries and/or community outreach programs.
• Licensed care facilities-including skilled nursing, DSS licensed residential care for the elderly, DSS licensed adult residential facilities, and DSS licensed adult day care.
• Community health clinics, libraries, tribal entities, and farmworker organizations. 
  
• Government entities (including Fire, EMS, Agricultural Commissioner, etc.)
  

If you are an eligible organization and would like to request access to HPOP, please email OTCtesting@cdph.ca.gov before January 15, 2025.​

​How Individuals Can Obtain COVID-19 tests

Insured individuals may be able to obtain tests through their health insurance. Read more about how people with insurance can get tests here: CDPH How to Get Tested 

Uninsured individuals may be able to obtain tests at no cost through the CDC Increasing Community Access to Testing (ICATT) Program. Learn more about how people without insurance can get free tests here: No-Cost COVID-19 Testing (cdc.gov) 

U.S. households are once again eligible to order 4 free COVID-19 tests through the federal government at COVIDTests.gov

At-home Tests - Extension of Expiration Dates

Most at-home test brands have been granted formal extensions for expiration dates by the FDA and are valid for many months after the dates printed on the boxes. Visit the FDA’s website to determine the extended expiration date for an expired test. 

CDPH recommends replacing tests that are older than the extended expiration dates (these can be found on the FDA website). However, if newer tests are not easily available, an expired test may be used as long as the internal control remain​s valid. The internal control line is the test line (often labeled C, as in the figure below) that appears as described in the instructions of the test. If the control line appears, then the internal control is valid. If the line does not appear, then the results may not be accurate and another test is needed. 

​

Los Angeles ​​Testing Programs

For Los Angeles County, organizations can access at-home testing resources through the LA County Department of Public Health. For more information, please visit LA County ​At-Home Testing Resources. 

Additional COVID-19 resources

• ​Adult Self-Swabbing Video (Children)​
  
• How to Get Tested for COVID-19 (ca.gov)