What LA County Employees Need to Know About COVID-19 Testing
SIGNING UP FOR A TEST
In accordance with the County’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, if you are not fully vaccinated, you are no longer required to test regularly. However, screening testing requirements and protocols may vary by department depending on the department's specific business needs and applicable safety regulations and requirements. Any questions on screening testing requirements for your department should be directed to your Departmental Human Resources Manager or designee.
All County employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and must provide proof of full vaccination, unless they have been granted a medical or religious accommodations. The Fulgent Portal will maintain employee vaccination records and track those employees that are required to comply to regular COVID-19 testing.
NOTE: For Department of Health Services Employees: if you were vaccinated by DHS, your vaccination verification is complete. If you received your vaccination outside of DHS, you must submit a copy of your vaccination record to DHS' Employee Health Services unit.
Prior to going to a testing site for the first time, you need to register with Fulgent by clicking here and selecting "New Registration". Although you can also register on-site, doing so ahead of time will speed up the testing process. You only have to register once in the system. You will receive a Fulgent QR code that will be used to verify your information for all your future tests.
Watch this video for a step by step process on how to register:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vO3Gr47Xc8
In accordance with the County’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, if you are not fully vaccinated, you are no longer required to test regularly. However, screening testing requirements and protocols may vary by department depending on the department's specific business needs and applicable safety regulations and requirements. If you are asked to test by your department, you must complete testing at one of the designated LA County Employee Testing Sites (available sites listed here). Employees who undergo testing through an external provider, such as their healthcare provider or local pharmacy, will not be considered compliant and may not be eligible for testing-specific paid leave or reimbursement.
You can view a list of the available testing sites here. Carefully read and review the testing site's details, including operating hours, and if a site is co-located or employee-exclusive.
You are able to schedule an appointment for the 10 sites exclusive to County employees and are highly encouraged - but not required.
All 26 testing sites take walk-ins.
A drive-up testing site means that you will complete your test while you remain in your vehicle.
A walk-up testing site means that you will walk up to a testing tent, kiosk or facility to complete your test.
PREPARING FOR YOUR TEST
When you go to a testing site, bring the following:
- A form of identification (your LA County employee badge or other government issued ID)
- Your Fulgent QR code and/or your Employee ID number
- Your health insurance card (you will only need this on the first day of testing; the information will be saved for all future tests through LA County)
A facemask is required at all testing sites.
Effective February 1, 2022, all County employees regardless of vaccination status and purpose for testing – are required to provide health insurance information in order to test at the 19 LA County Employee Testing Sites.
Employees who do not provide health insurance information will not be permitted to test. This requirement applies to unvaccinated employees who are required to test in accordance with the COVID-19 Vaccination Policy (Mandatory Testers) as well as fully vaccinated and/or boosted employees who are testing due to the County’s expanded testing program.
Recent legislation (California Senate Bill 510) guarantees tests will be at no cost to employees. County employees may receive an “explanation of benefits” or other documents regarding payment for COVID-19 testing by their health plan/insurance, but these documents are not a bill.
There are nasal swab tests available at all testing sites.
The following sites will have the option of nasal swab or saliva (spit) tests:
Gibson Mariposa Park - 4140 Gibson Road, El Monte, CA 91731
Martin Luther King Jr., Medical Campus - 12021 South Wilmington Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90059
Miracle Temple -Church of God Pentecostal - 109 West Buckthorn St, Inglewood, CA 90301
The nasal swab test is offered at all employee testing sites. This is a “self-administered” test, meaning you will collect this sample on your own. Watch the video demonstration in preparation for your visit:
Effective, January 21, 2022, if you are unable to test using a shallow nasal swab, you can request a saliva (spit) collection kit at 14 testing sites exclusive to County employees. This is a “self-administered” test, meaning you will collect this sample on your own. Should you select the saliva (spit) test, 30 minutes prior to collecting your sample, you MUST NOT do any of the following: eat, drink, smoke, chew gum, rinse your mouth or brush your teeth.
Watch the video demonstration in preparation for your visit:
WHAT TO DO AFTER YOU TEST
You will receive an email or text message (if you provided a mobile number) with your test ID and a hyperlink to view your test results within 1-2 days after you test.
If you receive a negative test result, you are cleared to work. If you are required to test for COVID-19 in accordance with the Los Angeles County COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, please follow your test frequency to be compliant.
If you receive a positive test result, you must notify your supervisor immediately. You will not be cleared to work for the first 10 days and then cleared to work for the subsequent 80 days. Due to your positive test result, testing is postponed automatically for 90 days. This is because during the 90-day period, ongoing viral shedding is likely to cause a positive test even after symptoms have resolved and you are no longer infectious. If you return to test at an LA County Employee Testing Site before the 90-day period expires, you will be turned away from testing. During these 90 days, you will be in testing compliance. Please reach out to your supervisor, manager, or Departmental Human Resources Manager to discuss your positive test result and return to work criteria.
If you receive an inconclusive test result, we recommend retesting within a couple of days to determine whether or not you are infected. If you are testing in accordance with the COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, you may be required to retest in order to be cleared to work. Please consult with your department whether you are required to retest for this Inconclusive Test Result. If you are required to test for COVID-19 in accordance with the Los Angeles County COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, please follow your test frequency to be compliant
If you receive a QNS test result, if you are testing in accordance with the COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, you are not required to retest in order to be cleared to work. If you are required to test for COVID-19 in accordance with the Los Angeles County COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, please follow your test frequency to be compliant.
Remember to continue safe practices such as wearing a facemask, washing your hands regularly and social distancing. Additional information about testing and isolating, if you have symptoms, can be found at the LA County Department of Public Health website.
Please contact your supervisor, manager, or Departmental Human Resources Manager should you have additional questions.
OTHER INFORMATION
Please visit lac.fulgentgenetics.com to edit and upload your vaccination status, including your COVID-19 booster shot. You will be asked to either upload your CDPH smart QR code or a physical picture of your card so that we can verify your status. Once complete and your vaccination status has been verified, you will no longer be required to submit to testing unless mandated by County and/or State Health Officer Orders.
For more information on the COVID-19 Vaccination Policy for LA County employees, click here.