What You Can Do

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Reducing social contact can help slow the spread of this coronavirus and keep our communities healthy. Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others.

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Everyone in California is required to stay home except to get food, care for a relative or friend, get necessary health care, or go to an essential job. If you go out, keep at least 6 feet of distance.

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Know the symptoms and risks

 

If you have any symptoms or are at risk, it’s especially important to stay home and avoid in-person contact with others.

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Coronavirus symptoms include:

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• feeling like you have a fever

• a new cough

• shortness of breath

 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has more information about COVID-19 symptoms.

 

You may have been exposed to COVID-19 if:

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• you have traveled to an affected country within the last 14 days

• you have been in close contact with a person confirmed to have COVID-19

 

Some people are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19, including:

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• people over 65 years old

• people with compromised immune systems

• people with serious chronic medical conditions

 

If you or someone you’re close to is at higher risk, avoid going out and have supplies available to minimize the need for errands.

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Stay in contact over the phone or online with loved ones and caregivers.

 

Avoid gatherings and events

 

Everyone in California is required to stay home except to get food, care for a relative or friend, get necessary health care, or go to an essential job. If you go out, keep at least 6 feet of distance. Learn more.

 

Get testing and treatment

 

Many people are able to recover from COVID-19 at home.

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If you have coronavirus symptoms and think you need testing, contact your healthcare provider. Local health departments and healthcare providers determine who needs testing and hospitalization on a case-by-case basis.

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Seek treatment by calling your doctor for a phone evaluation if:

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• you have difficulty breathing (shortness of breath)

• you feel like symptoms (such as fever and cough) are getting worse rapidly

• you are unable to care for symptoms at home

 

If you need to go to the hospital, call ahead so they can prepare for your arrival. If you need to call 911, tell the 911 operator you’re experiencing coronavirus symptoms so the ambulance provider can prepare to treat you safely.

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California is expanding coronavirus testing capacity daily.

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During this interim period while testing is expanding, testing is being prioritized for people who:

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• have coronavirus symptoms AND

• have one of these risk factors:

  • have had contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19, OR

  • are healthcare providers or work with vulnerable populations (such as a long term care facility), OR

  • traveled to an affected country in the past 14 days, OR

  • are over 60 years old, have a compromised immune system, or have serious chronic medical conditions.

 

To learn more about testing and treatment, see California Department of Public Health Coronavirus Updates.

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California is working with Verily (a private company) to launch a pilot program to expand access to COVID-19 screening and testing for high risk individuals, beginning in the Bay Area. If you are in Santa Clara or San Mateo County and want to get tested for COVID-19, you can complete the screener to see if you qualify for testing through this program. You will need internet access and a Google account.

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