Who Should Get Tested

Individuals falling within the following categories should seek COVID-19 testing:

• Anyone who is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms
• Persons notified by San Mateo County Public Health as being “high risk” or a “close contact” of a confirmed case, or
• Anyone meeting the current criteria for available testing as identified by the most recent California Department of Public Health testing guidance

Prioritizing testing for these groups helps ensure those patients with the highest risk of infection are quickly identified and can isolate.

Where to Get Tested

If you have any form of health insurance, your first stop for testing should be your primary care physician or local medical clinic. This is the best way to get follow-up care right away, and you may also get your results faster. 

To find testing sites in addition to those that may be offered by your healthcare provider, visit the state’s testing site locator.

For Health Plan of San Mateo members: contact your primary care provider (PCP), or HPSM’s Nurse Advice Line at 833-846-8773 if you don’t have a PCP. For more information, visit HPSM.

If you don’t have health insurance coverage: contact the San Mateo County Health Coverage Unit (HCU) at 650-616-2002 or info-hcu@smcgov.org for screening and enrollment assistance with public health coverage programs such as Medi-Cal, Covered California and ACE. For the HCU hotline, please leave a message with your name and contact information and a Community Health Advocate will return your call within 24 hours.  Apply online at www.coveredca.com.  

Project Baseline

Testing is no-cost and available to anyone without restriction and without regard to insurance coverage, although an appointment is required in advance. To make an appointment, residents can visit Project Baseline’s website. Registration opens 72 hours before testing dates.
Remember to bring your photo ID and the reference ID from your confirmation email.

If you don't have access to the internet, an on-site volunteer may be able to help you register and get tested. 

UPDATE: Those being tested can now swab their nostrils themselves. Watch the videos above for details about the testing procedure.

After being tested, residents will receive results and other information by email. San Mateo County Health will reach out to residents who test positive.

TESTING LOCATIONS AND DATES
(Registration opens 72 hours before testing dates. Testing is open to all. Up to 500 tests are administered each day.)

WEEK OF AUGUST 3: (followed by the full list of scheduled dates and addresses):
Monday, Aug. 3: San Mateo
Tuesday, Aug. 4: Half Moon Bay
Wednesday, Aug. 5: San Bruno
Thursday, Aug. 6: North Fair Oaks
Friday, Aug. 7: North Fair Oaks
__________________________

DALY CITY
Jefferson Union High School District Office
699 Serramonte Boulevard

Daly City Testing Dates
Tuesday, August 11  (9 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
Wednesday, August 12  (9 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
Tuesday, August 18  (9 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
Wednesday, August 19  (9 a.m. - 3 p.m.)

EAST PALO ALTO
2160 Euclid Ave.

East Palo Alto Testing Dates
Thursday, August 13  (9 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
Friday, August 14  (9 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
Thursday, August 20  (9 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
Friday, August 21  (9 a.m. - 3 p.m.)

HALF MOON BAY
Our Lady of the Pillar
565 Kelly Ave.

Half Moon Bay Testing Dates
Tuesday, August 25  (9 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
Tuesday, September 1  (9 a.m. - 3 p.m.)

NORTH FAIR OAKS
Everest High School
455 Fifth Ave, Redwood City

North Fair Oaks Testing Dates 
Thursday, August 6  (9 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
Friday, August 7  (9 a.m. - 3 p.m.)

SAN BRUNO
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
975 Sneath Lane

San Bruno Testing Dates
Wednesday, August 5  (9 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
Wednesday, August 26  (9 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
Wednesday, September 2  (9 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
 

SAN MATEO
San Mateo County Event Center
1346 Saratoga Drive

San Mateo Testing Dates
Monday, August 3  (9 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
Monday, August 10  (9 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
Monday, August 17  (9 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
Monday, August 24  (9 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
Monday, August 31  (9 a.m. - 3 p.m.)

What if I test positive?

On April 6, 2020, the San Mateo County Health Officer issued mass isolation and quarantine orders for individuals who test positive for COVID-19. They must isolate themselves and not leave their home or other residence except to receive necessary medical care or during an emergency that requires evacuation.

The full isolation order is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Portuguese, Russian and Tagalog.

Directions on how to isolate are available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Portuguese, Russian and Tagalog.

What if I am in close contact with someone who is positive?

Close contacts of those who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 need to stay home even though they may not feel sick. They must remain in quarantine for 14 days and follow the social distancing requirements described in the health officer’s Shelter in Place Order.

The full quarantine order is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Portuguese, Russian and Tagalog.

Directions on how to quarantine are available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Portuguese, Russian and Tagalog.