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1. Who should be tested for COVID-19?

You should immediately get tested for COVID-19 if you are feeling any symptoms - regardless of your vaccination status. COVID-19 symptoms can feel like a common cold (including just "the sniffles"), seasonal allergies, or flu.

• If you've been exposed to COVID-19 and are not fully vaccinated, get tested right away. If you test negative, retest 5 to 7 days after your exposure date. Those who are unvaccinated should also test before and 3 to 5 days after any high-risk events.
• If you were fully vaccinated when exposed, you should get tested 3 to 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 (PDF).

2. What is contact tracing?

Butte County Public Health has a team of case investigators and contact tracers who play a crucial role in the COVID-19 response. When a person tests positive for COVID-19, the team calls the person to evaluate symptoms and provide education regarding isolation. They also help identify close contacts who may have been exposed during the person's infectious period.

Contact tracers reach out to these contacts to provide education regarding quarantine and testing recommendations in order to stop the spread of COVID-19.

You may or may not be contacted by Public Health based on the current caseload. When necessary, priority is given to healthcare workers and first responders, persons living in congregate living facilities, and agencies or businesses that perform critical infrastructure services in the community.

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

CDPH updated its guidance on April 6 to align with the recommended isolation and quarantine timeframes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

View information for 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 an antigen test (rapid home test) collected on day five or later is negative.
• If a fever is present, isolation should be continued until the 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 a positive test.

4. When will I receive my test results?

Return of test results varies greatly by the company/provider performing the COVID-19 test and the laboratory used to analyze and confirm the results. On average, you can expect your test results within 2 to 3 business days for PCR tests, however, some medical providers are able to obtain results more quickly. Results may be delivered by phone, email, or text message - depending on the company / provider performing the test. Be sure to confirm your desired communication preferences when scheduling your test so the company / medical provider can reach you as soon as your test results are available.

If you were tested because you were in contact with someone who has COVID-19 you should stay home, away from others, and monitor your health while waiting for your test result, even if you do not show symptoms. View the CDC's 3 Key Steps to Take While Waiting for Your COVID-19 Test Result (PDF) for more information.

5. Where can I get tested?

Testing is available throughout Butte County and at most pharmacies. View COVID-19 Testing Sites in Butte and Glenn County:

• English (PDF)
• Spanish (PDF)
• Hmong (PDF)

The State of California and the COVID-19 Testing Task Force have joined together with OptumServe in a partnership to expand Rapid and PCR viral testing services in Butte County. View more information about OptumServe Testing.

OptumServe

OptumServe Sites will be closed on October 10, 2022 in observance of Columbus Day.

OptumServe (Chico State): Open Monday through Friday! Located at:

Sutter Hall
Suite 521
Legion Avenue
Chico, 95926

This location is open to the public. Appointments are scheduled Monday through Friday, 9 am to noon and 2 to 5 pm, excluding all federal holidays. Short-term free parking is available in the Bryce South Lot (gravel lot off of Warner). Metered parking is available on Legion Avenue Schedule an appointment at:

• Online
• By phone: 888-634-1123
• Appointments are available for rapid antigen testing only. PCR testing is available on a walk-in basis only.

6. 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 caseload. When necessary, priority is given to healthcare workers and first responders, persons living in congregate living facilities, and agencies or businesses that perform critical infrastructure services in the community.

7. Why is the CDC’s 2019 Real Time PCR Test being retired?

Recently, the CDC requested that the emergency use authorization (EUA) issued by the FDA for the CDC 2019 Real-Time PCR test be retired. The CDC no longer needs to maintain this EUA because the FDA has authorized hundreds of other SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic tests since the beginning of the pandemic. The removal of this test is not related to its accuracy or reliability of it and only applies to the CDC's PCR test and does not apply to any other PCR tests authorized for use by the FDA.

View the CDC 2019 Novel Coronavirus Real-Time PCR Diagnostic Panel to learn about the retirement of the CDC 2019 Novel Coronavirus Real-Time PCR Diagnostic.