Contra Costa Requires Medical Providers To Give Coronavirus Tests

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — A new health order issued Thursday by Contra Costa County Health Services requires private healthcare facilities to provide timely coronavirus tests to essential workers, as well as anyone who has symptoms or has been exposed to the virus.

Under the new health order, which takes effect Oct. 8, all health care facilities in the county must provide prompt testing upon request, without a doctor's note, to members who are:

• Essential workers, as defined by state and local health orders to include teachers, grocery store clerks, restaurant employees, health care workers, bus drivers, as well as others
• People who have symptoms of COVID-19
• People who have had close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case
• People identified by county health officials as needing priority testing, such as possible contacts identified through contact tracing

Further, the county said essential workers in jobs with high contact with the public, like store clerks, wait staff, teachers, assisted living staff, among others, should consider getting tested every 30 days.

County health officials also sent a formal request to large providers, including Kaiser Permanente, John Muir Health, Sutter Health and San Ramon Regional Medical Center, to voluntarily adopt policies allowing anyone who asks to get a fast COVID-19 test, regardless of whether a person has symptoms.

The county is urging all residents to consider a test whenever they feel sick, especially with symptoms such as fever, cough or chest congestion, and whenever they think they may have had contact with a sick person — especially if that person has tested positive for COVID-19.

"Getting a test matters, even if you feel well, because about 40 percent of people who test positive for the virus never develop clear symptoms," said Dr. Chris Farnitano, Contra Costa County Health Officer. "To protect yourself, your loved ones and your community, please consider getting tested regularly. It’s the only way to truly know if you are COVID-free."

Increased community testing is also key to reopening businesses and community activities more quickly in Contra Costa County, the county said, pointing out that California’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy lowers the criteria for reopening in counties that test many people every day.

Contra Costa does not yet qualify for this benefit but has a goal to test about 4,500 people daily.

Currently, 2,300 people get tested every day in the county, with a total of 338,392 coronavirus tests administered in the county since the outbreak began.

According to the county, anyone who wants a fast, free and convenient COVID-19 test can get one at a community testing site near them.

The county noted that about 20 percent of all patients tested at Contra Costa’s 12 public community testing sites have commercial health insurance that would cover the cost of tests through their usual medical provider.

Yet, many report they were denied tests by their providers because they did not have symptoms, or because an evaluation from their primary care physician was required before they could get a test, the county said.

The number of coronavirus cases in the county since the outbreak began reached 16,327 Thursday, including 204 people who've died from the virus.