Date: July 12, 2020
Number: NR20-157
Contact: CDPHpress@cdph.ca.gov

Testing in California

As testing capacity continues to increase across the state, the California Department of Public Health is working to expand access to COVID-19 testing. Testing should be used for medical evaluation of persons with symptoms of COVID-19 as well as for efforts by public health agencies and essential employers to prevent and control the spread of COVID-19. Individuals prioritized for testing include: 

• Hospitalized patients
  
• Symptomatic and asymptomatic healthcare workers, first responders, and other social service employees
  
• Symptomatic individuals age 65 and older or symptomatic individuals of any age with chronic medical conditions that increase the risk of severe COVID-19 illness
  
• Individuals who are tested as part of disease control efforts in high-risk settings
  
• Asymptomatic residents and employees of congregate living facilities when needed to prevent disease transmission
  
• Symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals in essential occupations such as grocery store and food supply workers, utility workers and public employees
  
• Other individuals with symptoms consistent with COVID-19

Data and Tools

California has collected a wide range of data to inform its response to COVID-19 and developed tools to help process and analyze that data. The state is making these data and tools open and available for researchers, scientists, and technologists at covid19.ca.gov.

Racial Demographics – A More Complete Picture

The California Department of Public Health is committed to health equity and collecting more detailed racial and ethnic data that will provide additional understanding for determining future action. Health outcomes are affected by forces including structural racism, poverty and the disproportionate prevalence of underlying conditions such as asthma and heart disease among Latinos and African American Californians. Only by looking at the full picture can we understand how to ensure the best outcomes for all Californians.

The differences in health outcomes related to COVID-19 are most stark in COVID-19 deaths. We have nearly complete data on race and ethnicity for COVID-19 deaths, and we are seeing the following trends: Latinos, African Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders are dying at disproportionately higher levels. More males are dying from COVID-19 than females, in line with national trends. More information is available at COVID-19 Race and Ethnicity Data.

Health Care Worker Infection Rates

As of July 11, local health departments have reported 17,636 confirmed positive cases in health care workers and 99 deaths statewide. 

County Monitoring

As of July 11, counties are required to close indoor operations for certain sectors based on the state's July 1 order to slow community transmission.

1. Colusa           
2. Contra Costa           
3. Fresno
4. Glenn
5. Imperial         
6. Kern   
7. Kings  
8. Los Angeles  
9. Madera        
10. Marin 
11. Merced        
12. Monterey
13. Napa 
14. Orange
15. Placer
16. Riverside
17. Sacramento
18. San Benito    
19. San Bernardino
20. San Diego
21. San Joaquin 
22. Santa Barbara
23. Santa Clara
24. Solano
25. Sonoma
26. Stanislaus
27. Sutter 
28. Tulare
29. Ventura        
30. Yolo  
31. Yuba

For the counties on the County Data Monitoring list, please visit this CDPH webpage.

Your Actions Save Lives

Every person has a role to play. Protecting yourself and your family comes down to common sense:  

• Staying home except for essential needs/activities following local and state public health guidelines when patronizing approved businesses. To the extent that such sectors are re-opened, Californians may leave their homes to work at, patronize, or otherwise engage with those businesses, establishments or activities.
  

• Practicing social distancing.

• Wearing a cloth face mask when out in public.

• Washing hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds.

• Avoiding touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.

• Covering a cough or sneeze with your sleeve, or disposable tissue. Wash your hands afterward.

• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.

• Staying away from work, school or other people if you become sick with respiratory symptoms like fever and cough.

• Answer the call if a contact tracer from the CA COVID Team or your local health department tries to connect. Contact tracers will connect you to free, confidential testing and other resources, if needed.

• Following guidance from public health officials.