Testing must be done by a healthcare provider or one of the testing locations indicated below. Butte County Public Health cannot perform COVID-19 testing or provide individual testing results.
The State of California and the COVID-19 Testing Task Force
have joined together with OptumServe in a partnership to expand testing
services in Butte County at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds. Appointments are scheduled M – F, 7:00 am to 7:00 pm for
viral specimen collection. View the
OptumServe Testing FAQs.
At this time, this site does not offer antibody testing.
Testing by Appointment Only:
If you are interested in getting a test, it’s important to know that tests are by appointment only. Schedule your appointment by:
- Visiting https://lhi.care/covidtesting
- Calling 1-888-634-1123 or Please note that phone registration will only be used for people without internet access.
Contact Your Healthcare Provider
If you meet the California Department of Public Health's COVID-19 testing criteria, contact your healthcare provider about getting tested.
An antibody
test, also known as “serology tests,” may not be able to show if you have a
current infection, because it can take 1-3 weeks to make antibodies after
symptoms occur. Antibody testing can be a useful tool for public health and our community to help us understand how many people have been infected. However, this type of testing may give persons tested a false sense of security.
Learn more about antibody testing limitations and what a positive or negative antibody test means.
As Butte County begins to reopen from restriction in place from the Governor's "Stay at Home" order for both residents and low-risk and high-risk businesses, the following information is important to limit and slow the spread of COVID-19 in our county.
View the Butte County Reopens page. Learn which businesses and activities may reopen and what guidelines are required.
Cloth face coverings help reduce the spread of coronavirus especially when combined with physical distancing and frequent hand washing. Starting June 18, Californians must wear face coverings in common and public indoor spaces and outdoors when distancing is not possible.
Help Butte County Public Health understand more about COVID-19 in Butte County, please take this short survey. All information provided will be kept confidential and be used to help in the local response efforts. After you complete the survey, you will be provided a link to sign-up for COVID-19 testing through the State's OptumCare Specimen Collection Site if you think you need to be tested.
COVID-19 Information Lines
- Butte County COVID-19 Call Center: 8 am to 5 pm, Monday - Friday: 530.552.3050
- Butte County residents can dial 2-1-1 (24/7) or text their zip code to 898211 for information and updates. The text line is available M-F from 7:30 am to 6 pm.
Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Butte County
Updated July 13, 2020
This page will be updated regularly by 4 pm, Mondays through Fridays, excluding holidays.
| *Total COVID-19 Cases
|
376
|
| Total COVID-19 Deaths
|
4
|
*Butte County COVID-19 case reporting will align with how the California Department of Public Health is reporting cases. Now that community spread has increased throughout the United States and is now the primary reason for new cases, including California, breaking down the case count into separate categories is no longer recommended. The number of reported cases are only the confirmed cases that are reported to Public Health from labs and healthcare providers. Access to testing is limited. Because of this, we believe there are many more people infected with COVID-19 in Butte County than we know of.
Governor Newsom: Stay at Home Order
The California State Governor, Gavin Newsom, has issued a STAY AT HOME order, for all individuals living in the State of California to stay home or at their place of residence, except as needed to maintain continuity of operation of the federal critical infrastructure sectors, critical government services, schools, childcare, and construction, including housing construction. This order is effective immediately and was put into place in an effort to slow the spread of the COVID 19 virus, which in turn will decrease the impact on critical health care services and facilities.
View identified essential services & Workers.
The order includes canceling all non-essential activities and services and all social, professional or community based gatherings. If you must leave your home to seek essential services, keep at least 6 feet of distance from others.
The order does not impact essential services such as: gas stations, pharmacies, grocery stores, farmers markets, food banks, convenience stores, take-out and delivery restaurants, banks, laundromats, or laundry services. Essential state and local government functions will also remain open, including law enforcement, and offices that provide government programs and services.
Guidance Documents for COVID-19
All community sectors are asked to review and implement COVID-19 illness prevention guidance.
Location of Confirmed COVID-19 Cases
The city of residence for people sick with COVID-19 will be provided by region, including: Chico and Oroville. Other cities or towns within Butte County, excluding Chico & Oroville, that have a population size considered too small to list without risking a persons identity will only be listed once those jurisdictions have five or more cases. Public Health is legally responsible for protecting personal health information. This includes any information that might identify them. Providing location information does not provide any benefit to the public in helping to prevent illness. No additional public precautions are needed to prevent the spread of illness other than continuing to follow the stay at home order, stop all non-essential activities, and practice good hygiene and routine cleaning. Now that we have confirmed cases in Butte County, the public should consider every public place as a place that one could be exposed.
How can you protect yourself and your family?
In addition to following the STAY AT HOME order, the best way to prevent the spread of respiratory illness, is to practice good hygiene:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water.
- Cover your cough and sneezes with a tissue or corner of your sleeve. Do not use your hands.
- Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands, especially your mouth, nose and eyes.
- Avoid close contact with sick people.
- Stay home if you are sick, especially from work, school and public places.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Cover your face with a cloth face covering if you leave your home for essential outings.
Adults over the age of 65 and people with underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for serious complications from COVID-19. On Sunday, March 15th, California State Governor Gavin Newsom issued a directive calling for home isolation of:
- All Adults over 65 years old
- All persons with chronic health conditions, such as: heart disease, diabetes and lung disease.
If you are at increased risk, get ready for COVID-19 now. Learn how to reduce your risk of getting sick.
To protect public health and slow the rate of transmission of COVID-19, the state still disallows gatherings or events.This includes the following:
- Gatherings such as concerts, conferences, and
professional, college, and school sporting events.
- A “gathering” is any event or convening that brings together people in a single room
or single space at the same time, such as an auditorium, stadium, arena, large
conference room, meeting hall, cafeteria, or any other indoor or outdoor space - professional, social or community based.
What to do if you are sick
COVID-19 Symptoms
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
This list does not include all possible symptoms. CDC will continue to update this list as we learn more about COVID-19.
Mild Symptoms:
People with mild symptoms, who are not sick enough to be hospitalized, should self-isolate at home. If you have mild symptoms, you may also inquire with your healthcare provider about getting tested. These people should:
- Avoid close contact with others
- Stay home for at least 10 days from the start
of symptoms, AND
- Stay home at least 72 hours after fever is gone,
AND
- Stay home until respiratory symptoms have improved
(couging/sneezing)
Severe Symptoms:
People with severe symptoms of respiratory illness should call their healthcare provider immediately. Call ahead so that you can be safely evaluated to prevent exposing others. Your healthcare provider will evaluate you and determine the best course of action for your illness, including whether or not you should be tested.
Who should be tested for COVID-19?
Testing must be done by a healthcare provider or one of the testing locations indicated above. Butte County Public Health cannot perform COVID-19 testing.
Anyone can get tested for COVID-19, even persons who do not have symptoms. People who should be tested for COVID-19 are those with or without symptoms who have traveled to an affected area with COVID-19 or had close contact with a person with confirmed COVID-19. Call ahead: If believe you could have COVID-19, notify your healthcare provider by phone. Call ahead so that you can be safely evaluated to prevent exposing others.
Healthcare providers will determine if a person should be tested based upon their illness and other risk factors. If a healthcare provider determines that a person should be tested, the healthcare provider will collect a specimen and have it delivered to a COVID-19 testing lab. If you are ill and believe you could have COVID-19, you should notify your healthcare provider by phone before seeking care so you can be safely evaluated.
For more information about COVID-19 Testing, visit the CDC Tests for COVID-19 website.
This is a rapidly changing situation and guidance about travel changes frequently. Please visit the CDC travel information page for the latest travel alerts, restrictions, and guidance.
Public Health in Butte County
Promoting healthy behaviors and resources, preventing illness and protecting the health of residents and visitors in Butte County is our daily commitment. The Butte County Public Health Department (BCPHD) runs over 50 programs serving: children, mothers, families, adults, small businesses, animals and the environment.
As a nationally accredited health department, we are involved in a variety of community-based activities that engage residents in the planning, evaluation and implementation of health improvements in their communities. Our website is designed to be your local resource for health information. Throughout this site, you can learn more about the many excellent programs and services that are offered through the department.
Danette York
Director, Butte County Public Health
Learn about important opioid misuse and abuse resources in Butte County.
Walgreens on Nord Avenue in Chico now offers a 24/7 medicine collection bin. Prescription and over-the-counter medicines are welcome.
The CHA highlights the top health needs of people living in Butte County and will be used to develop and guide a three-year Community Health Improvement Plan, slated to start in early 2020.
View the CHA full report
View the CHA Executive Summary
The health department operates two public health clinics that offer immunizations, travel shots, family planning, STD testing and treatment, health exams, and free condoms. Low-Cost or free services are available. Lab services provide water, insect and tick testing to the public.
The health department works to prevent and control diseases. Health promotion and disease prevention services are designed to protect the health of the public and individuals. The health department collects disease data to help monitor the health of the community.
The Animal Control division serves the unincorporated areas of Butte County. Their role is to protect, promote and enhance the health, safety and quality of life for the county's animals and citizens. Services include: dog licensing, rabies information, lost/found pet resources, pets at large, animal bite prevention education and rescue efforts during emergencies.
The Vital Records office is your source for certified birth, death and burial permit certificates. Additional services include the issuance of medical marijuana identification cards.
The Nursing Divisions offers a wide variety of services to promote healthy behaviors for: maternal and child health, injury prevention, child passenger safety, children in foster care, adult services and more.
Environmental conditions can affect individual and community health. The regulation and monitoring of retail food facilities, drinking water, public swimming pools, wastewater, land development and hazmat disposal is the responsibility of the Environmental Health Division. Citizen participation and advisory groups create community collaborations throughout the county.
Are you ready if a natural or man-made disaster strikes? Personal, family and animal preparedness can save your life and reduce confusion during an unexpected emergency. The Emergency Preparedness office collaborates with local hospitals, health care providers, fire departments, law enforcement and other county departments to protect the public's health during times of emergency or disaster.
The Butte County Public Health Department is committed to providing you with the facts you need to make safe and informed choices. By sharing science-based information, BCPHD is working to increase awareness about cannabis and how it affects our bodies, minds and health.