Testing and Vaccination
What You Need to Know About COVID-19 Testing:
Federal legislation including the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act included provisions to increase the accessibility of testing and invest in a nation-wide COVID-19 testing strategy.
Elimination of out-of-pocket costs for COVID-19 tests:
- The Families First Coronavirus Response Act ensures you will not have to pay for your coronavirus test even if you are uninsured.
How you can get tested for COVID-19:
- Riverside University Health System
- Eisenhower Health
- Call the Eisenhower Health Hotline at (760) 837-8988 to discuss any symptom concerns before presenting at any facility.
- The line is staffed 24 hours a day by registered nurses.
- Call the Eisenhower Health Hotline at (760) 837-8988 to discuss any symptom concerns before presenting at any facility.
- Desert Aids Project (DAP)
- Call the DAP COVID-19 Hotline at (760) 992-0407. If the DAP clinician screening you determines you need testing, you will be instructed to come in.
- Local Rite Aid Pharmacies
- Find out where you can get tested for COVID-19 at a local Rite Aid Pharmacy near you by clicking
- You can also find more about COVID-19 testing in the State of California here.
Frequently Asked Questions about Testing:
How do I know if I should be tested for COVID-19?
- People who have symptoms of COVID-19.
- People who have had close contact (within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more) with someone with confirmed COVID-19.
- People who have taken part in activities that put them at higher risk for COVID-19 because they cannot socially distance as needed, such as travel, attending large social or mass gatherings, or being in crowded indoor settings.
- People who have been asked or referred to get testing by their healthcare provider or state health department.
Am I considered part of a priority group to get tested for COVID-19?
- As of now, all COVID-19 tests in the State of California will have equal priority. Learn more here.
What You Need to Know About COVID-19 Vaccines:
Federal legislation including the most recently enacted American Rescue Plan has invested billions of dollars in COVID-19 vaccine research, development, and distribution. After a thorough review process, the Food and Drug Administration has approved two COVID-19 vaccines and their distribution has begun.
- The safety of COVID-19 vaccines is a top priority. Learn more about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines, clinical trials, and safety monitoring here.
- To learn more about vaccine development in the United States, click here.
How can I receive a COVID-19 vaccine?
The State of California and providers are administering COVID-19 vaccines as it becomes available. Supplies will be initially be limited, and COVID-19 vaccines are currently available only for healthcare workers and residents in long-term care settings due to limited supplies. The first phase of vaccine administration is as follows:
Phase 1A
- Healthcare workers
- Long-term care residents
Phase 1B
- 1B Tier One:
- Individuals 75 and older
- Those at risk of exposure at work in the following sectors: education, childcare, emergency services, and food and agriculture
- 1B Tier Two:
- Individuals 65 -74 years of age
- Those at risk of exposure at work in the following sectors: transportation and logistics; industrial, commercial, residential, and sheltering facilities and services; critical manufacturing
- Congregate settings with outbreak risk: incarcerated and homeless
Phase 1C
- Individuals 50 -64 years of age
- People 16-64 years of age and have an underlying health condition or disability which increases their risk of severe COVID-19
- Those at risk of exposure at work in the following sectors: water and wastewater; defense; energy; chemical and hazardous materials; communications and IT; financial services; government operations / community-based essential functions
Learn more about COVID-19 vaccination priorities here.