COVID-19 Testing

Who should be tested for COVID-19? 

Did you know that COVID-19 can feel like a common cold or seasonal allergies? If you're experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms (which include runny nose, cough, sore throat, fever, body aches and more) please get tested for COVID-19, regardless of your vaccination status. By getting tested you'll do your part to reduce COVID-19 spread in your community.

  • If you’ve been exposed to COVID-19 and are not fully vaccinated, get tested right away. If you test negative, retest 5-7 days after your exposure date. Those who are unvaccinated should also test before and 3-5 days after any high-risk events.
  • If you were fully vaccinated when exposed, you should get tested 3-5 days after close contact with someone who has recently tested positive.
  • If you have recovered from COVID-19 in the last 3 months and have had no new symptoms since your recent exposure, you do not need to get tested.
  • Traveling? Read CDC’s travel fact sheet.

How to access over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 tests:

  • Visit your local pharmacy.
  • Contact your health insurance provider. OTC tests are covered by most insurance companies.
  • Visit the CDC’s COVID-19 Testing Locator website: (testinglocator.cdc.gov).
  • Ask your healthcare provider or laboratory about testing.

The COVID.gov program, which can still be found at www.covid.gov/tests or 1-800-232-0233, has been suspended starting June 1st, 2023 in order to preserve the remaining supply of testing kits and is no longer accepting orders.

Free COVID-19 OTC Tests: Public Distribution Locations:

Butte County Public Health has distributed OTC COVID-19 tests to locations throughout Butte County. Over the next few months BCPH will continue to distribute approximately 40,000 additional tests to these locations. Free tests will be available while supplies last. Availability is subject to change. The public is asked not to call these locations with inquiries about tests or test inventory.

Butte County Libraries

  • Biggs: 464A B Street
  • Chico: 1108 Sherman Avenue
  • Durham: 2545 Durham-Dayton Hwy
  • Gridley: 299 Spruce Street
  • Oroville: 1820 Mitchell Avenue
  • Paradise: 5922 Clark Road

Department of Employment and Social Services (DESS)

  • Chico: 765 East Avenue
  • Oroville: 78 Table Mountain Blvd.
  • Paradise: 7204 Skyway

Butte County WIC: Women, Infants & Children

  • Chico: 2080 E 20th Street
  • Oroville: 82 Table Mountain Blvd.

Additional Locations:

  • Chico: Northern Valley Indian Health: 1990 Concord Avenue
  • Chico: Northern Valley Indian Health: 845 W. East Avenue
  • Oroville: Hmong Cultural Center: 1704 Oroville Dam Blvd.
  • Oroville: Feather River Tribal Health: 2145 5th Avenue
  • Oroville: Orchard Hospital Medical Specialty Center: 2990 Oroville Dam Blvd., E, Unit A
  • Gridley: Orchard Hospital Medical Specialty Center: 284 Spruce Street

What to do if you receive a positive COVID-19 test result?

CDPH updated its guidance to align with the recommended isolation and quarantine timeframes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Isolation for COVID-19 Positive Individuals (Regardless of Vaccination Status)

All individuals with COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status:

  • Stay home for at least five days.
  • Isolation can end after day five IF SYMPTOMS ARE NOT PRESENT or resolving and if and if you are fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication. 
  • If fever is present, isolation should be continued until 24 hours after fever resolves.
  • If symptoms, other than fever, are not resolving continue to isolate until symptoms are resolving or until after day 10.
  • Wear a well-fitting mask when around others, especially indoors, for 10 days from the date of positive test. *
  • After ending isolation, if your symptoms recur or worsen, get tested again and if positive, restart isolation at day 0.

* Confirmed cases, after ending isolation with no fever/improving symptoms, may remove their mask sooner than day 10 if they have two sequential negative tests at least one day apart.

If I test positive for COVID-19, will I be contacted by Public Health? You may or may not be contacted by Public Health based on the current case load.  When necessary, priority is given to health care workers and first responders, persons living in congregate living facilities, and agencies or businesses who perform critical infrastructure services in the community. 

COVID-19 Exposure & Isolation Calculator

Us the COVID-19 Exposure & Isolation Calculator as a tool after being exposed to COVID-19. This tool can help you decide if you need to isolate or take other steps to prevent spreading COVID-19.

COVID-19 Treatments & Telehealth 

If you test positive for COVID-19, ask your healthcare provider about treatment options. Treatments work best when started right after symptoms begin

FREE Virtual COVID-19 Telehealth Visits with Sesame Care

This service is for persons who are uninsured or underinsured. Persons who are unable to access a healthcare provider within 24 hours may call to speak with a telehealth provider, at not cost, to find out if you qualify for COVID-19 treatment medications. Call (833) 686-5051 or make an appointment at sesamecare.com/covidca