COVID-19 Information

Everyone 6 months of age and older should receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine. Children 6 months of age through 4 years old should complete a multi-dose initial series that includes at least one dose of the updated vaccine.

People who are immunocompromised are up to date if they have received a three-dose initial series that includes at least one updated dose and can stay up to date with one or more additional updated doses.

To learn more, see the COVID-19 doses by age chart (English and Spanish)

Those who are eligible to be vaccinated may:

• Register online.
• Call 1.833.422.4255 Monday–Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Text their zip code to 438829 to find a location near them.

• COVID-19 Vaccine Timing (English and Spanish)
• COVID-19 Vaccine Facts (English and Spanish)
• CDC Overview of COVID-19 Vaccines (English and Spanish)
• CDC Staying Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines (English and Spanish)
• Ventura County COVID-19 and Vaccine Information (English and Spanish)

Common COVID-19 symptoms include:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

This list does not include all possible symptoms. A person can have mild to severe COVID-19 illness.

You should watch your health closely for five days after a recent possible exposure or your last contact with someone who has tested positive to see if you develop any symptoms of COVID-19. If you must be around someone at high risk of getting very sick, wear a mask indoors around them for five days after being exposed. Most people develop COVID-19 within five days after exposure, but it can take up to two weeks.

Call 911 and seek emergency medical care right away if you have (or someone else has) any emergency warning signs for COVID-19:

• Trouble breathing.
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest.
• New confusion.
• Not able to wake or stay awake.
• Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, based on skin tone.

Call your doctor for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.

For more information from the CDC, click here.

1. Get tested for COVID-19. Call the statewide COVID-19 hotline at 1.833.422.4255 or click here to find free COVID-19 testing. You may also view GCHP’s COVID-19 Tests Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page for information on COVID-19 Tests.
2. Act fast to seek COVID-19 treatment if you have symptoms – COVID-19 treatments must be taken within five to seven days of when symptoms start to show.
   • Call your doctor or an urgent care center, or connect to a free telehealth health expert today by going to sesamecare.com/covidca or calling 1.833.686.5051. You can also find a Test to Treat location where you can get tested for COVID, talk to a doctor, and get treatment all at once by calling 1.833.422.4255.
   • Visit www.testtotreat.org to sign up for the National Home Test to Treat Program, which also offers free COVID-19 telehealth care. Free home delivery of medications is available; but act fast, as COVID-19 medications must be taken within the first five days of symptoms. This program is available only in English and Spanish.
3. Isolate from others for at least 24 hours. You can go back to normal activities after 24 hours if your symptoms are getting better overall, and you have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).
4. Tell people you recently interacted with that they may have been exposed. You can do this by calling, texting, or emailing them, or tell them anonymously through the Tell Your Contacts website.

Let’s make sure our communities have the knowledge they need to seek effective care when they get COVID-19. You can always find more information about COVID-19 treatment here.

COVID-19 medications must be taken within the first five to seven days of symptoms. There is no cost for GCHP members.

If you have COVID-19 symptoms, take a COVID-19 test as soon as possible. At-home test results are OK. Click here for more information on how to get tested. 

If you test positive for COVID-19, seek treatment right away. Do not wait for symptoms to get worse. Stay home and isolate to prevent spreading the disease to others. You can go back to normal activities after 24 hours if your symptoms are getting better overall, and you have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication). When you return to your normal activities, take added precaution over the next five days by wearing masks, physical distancing, and taking steps for cleaner air. Learn more about taking steps to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses here.

You can also call our 24-hour Advice Nurse Line for guidance or seek the closest urgent care for medical services.

To reach the Advice Nurse Line, call:

• 1.805.437.5001
• Toll-free: 1.877.431.1700
• If you use a TTY, call 711.

Have your GCHP ID Card or Medi-Cal Benefits ID Card ready when you call. If you are calling for someone else, please have that person near you. The advice nurse may have questions about their condition.

Click here for more information.

If your test is negative but you still have symptoms, test again 24-48 hours later. Low amounts of virus early in infection can be missed, and you can test positive a few days later.

If you have severe COVID-19 symptoms, such as trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, or trouble staying awake, go to the emergency room or call 911 right away.

• Most COVID-19 treatments are pills that you take at home. COVID-19 medications are free in California. You don’t need to have insurance or be a U.S. citizen.
• COVID-19 medications work best when started right away, within the first five to seven days of symptoms. If you think you may have COVID, don’t wait for symptoms to get worse.
• COVID-19 medications are safe and effective at stopping COVID-19 illness from getting serious. They can lower the risk of serious illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19 by half or more.
• COVID-19 medications may help you test negative sooner, and may reduce the risk of long COVID symptoms.*
• COVID-19 medications are recommended for people 12 years of age and older who have certain health issues or other common factors that increase risk. A doctor can tell you if you are eligible to get COVID-19 medications and the type that is best for you.
• COVID-19 medications are effective whether you are vaccinated or not.
• If you test positive for COVID-19, have symptoms, and meet the following criteria, you should seek treatment:
• You are 50 years old or older –OR–
• You are unvaccinated or not up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations –OR–
• You have a health issue or other factors that increase risk. These include obesity, asthma, diabetes, lack of physical activity, smoking, mental health conditions such as depression, being of a racial / ethnic minority, and more. Learn more about medical conditions that increase the risk of serious illness from COVID-19. Click here for more information on mental health and mood conditions.

* Early evidence suggests that the COVID-19 medication Paxlovid may decrease the risk of developing long COVID symptoms. These symptoms can last for weeks, months, or years after a COVID-19 infection.

Act quickly. COVID-19 medications work best when started within the first five to seven days of symptoms. Medications are free, no matter your insurance or citizenship status, but you must get a prescription.

Options for getting a prescription for COVID-19 medication include:

• Call your doctor, urgent care center, or insurance provider for an appointment. Video or phone appointments will work.
• Call the statewide COVID-19 hotline at 1.833.422.4255.
• Find a Test-to-Treat location near you. These sites can give COVID-19 tests and also prescribe COVID-19 medications. To find a site use the COVID-19 Test to Treat Locator.
• Some pharmacies may be able to give you a prescription for treatment. Call your pharmacy to see if they offer this service.
• For free treatment through 2024, the Paxcess Program will provide Paxlovid to those who are uninsured or enrolled in public insurance such as Medicare or Medicaid through 2024. The MerckHelps Program will provide free Lagevrio to those who are uninsured or unable to otherwise afford the medication and qualify.

If you don’t have insurance or the above options don’t work:

Click here or call 1.833.686.5051 to make a free phone or video appointment through California’s free COVID-19 telehealth service. If you are asked to pay at the pharmacy, call 1.888.897.1277 so the provider can follow up with the pharmacy.