COVID-19 Home Test Available To Manhattan Beach Residents Now

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — Manhattan Beach residents can now test for COVID-19 at home if they meet the following criteria

• Have COVID-19 symptoms; or
• Were recently in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 or is suspected of having it; or
• Are a senior or person with disabilities who feel they were exposed to COVID-19, but are unable to go to a testing site.

Los Angeles County has launched a new COVID-19 Home Test Collection Pilot "to help address the current surge in demand for testing and reduce the spread of COVID-19 during the holiday season when people may risk exposure," according to a county news release. The program runs through Friday, January 15, 2021.

“As the surge in cases and hospitalizations continues, LA County is trying innovative ways to meet the testing demand and stem the community spread of the virus,” said Dr. Clemens Hong, who oversees COVID-19 testing for LA County under the Department of Health Services.

“We are doing everything we can to make sure testing is available to all,” Hong said. “This allows us to reach even more people — and they don’t have to risk exposing others by leaving their homes. It’s an important step for combatting the virus in LA County.”

In the week before Thanksgiving, nearly half a million COVID-19 tests were performed in the county at more than 180 community testing sites, hospitals, clinics, and other facilities.

The temporary program will use Picture COVID-19, an FDA-approved home collection test developed by Fulgent Genetics, Inc.

Individuals should visit the county COVID-19 testing site to register and see if they qualify. If they meet the criteria, Fulgent Genetics will ship a collection kit to the individual's home within two days.

Individuals taking the test at home need to follow the sample collection directions and then take the sample take to a FedEx drop box the same day or have someone take it to a drop box for them. Individuals will receive the results by email within two days, the news release reported. While waiting for the testing kit and the results, individuals are advised to continue following public health guidance on staying home and avoiding contact with others.

To learn more about COVID-19 testing in LA County, visit covid19.lacounty.gov/testing.