April 7, 2020
COVID-19 Testing at the South Bay Galleria

Eligibility requirements were recently updated for COVID-19 testing:

At this time, testing is limited in Los Angeles to people with symptoms, or people who have been prevented from working because of contact with someone who has been infected.

Please note that same or next day testing appointments are prioritized for individuals over 65, or who have underlying chronic health conditions.

Appointments have been filling up quickly. Please continue to check the site for availability at the South Bay Galleria or make an appointment at another LA County site. 
If you are experiencing acute symptoms such as severe shortness of breath or are in distress related to COVID-19 symptoms, contact your physician. If it is an emergency, dial 911.

For more questions about testing, please visit  the City of Los Angeles' FAQ  for answers to frequently asked questions.

Tests are also prioritized for first responders, critical government workers and health care professionals. Those individuals should inquire at their affiliated hospital, medical center or department for information about how to schedule a same or next day appointment for testing.
COVID-19 Testing Through Your Health Care Provider
Please note, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is asking people with insurance to first contact their medical provider to request COVID-19 testing through their own networks to ensure the testing sites help those who need it the most.

If a person develops symptoms of COVID-19 and has reason to believe they may have been exposed, they should  call their health care provider or local health department before seeking care. If you don’t have a provider, call 2-1-1 for help finding a clinician near you.
#SaferAtHomeBeachCities

The best community and individual defense against COVID-19 is to:
Wash your hands frequently
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
Avoid being around sick people
Practice physical distancing, especially by staying at home and staying 6 ft. apart from others
Wear a cloth face covering when out procuring or providing essential services
Public health officials are urging residents to stay at home and only leave for the most urgent matters. “This week, and perhaps next week, it is even more important that we all stay home as much as possible," said Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd. “We cannot underestimate COVID-19, a virus that knows no boundaries, infects people of all ages, and can cause significant illness and death, particularly among people who are elderly or who have underlying serious health conditions.”

Although we are practicing physical distancing, we should remain social with our family, friends and neighbors. Take time to check in and catch up - video chat, text, email or call them.
Cloth Face Coverings

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Los Angeles County Department of Public Health are recommending that the general public wear non-medical cloth face coverings when interacting with others while obtaining essential supplies and services. 

Wearing a cloth face covering does not eliminate the need to physically distance yourself from others and to wash your hands frequently. They are an additional tool that can protect others from possible exposure to respiratory droplets that may come from our mouth when we talk, sneeze or cough.
N95 and surgical masks are in short supply and should only be used by healthcare workers, first responders, essential workers providing care for people who are ill, and people who are ill.

Pictured right:
Dr. William E. Kim, MD, Chief Medical Advisor for BCHD, demonstrates how a homemade cloth face covering can be fashioned out of a t-shirt.

Need Help with Health Information and Referrals?

If you or someone you know in the Beach Cities needs assistance with errands, health-related information or referrals, please call our Assistance, Information & Referral line at 310-374-3426, ext. 256 , seven days a week, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. You can also visit us online at bchd.org/resources