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COVID

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Respiratory virus guidelines

Learn what to do if you test positive for COVID-19, are experiencing symptoms, or have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19.

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COVID-19 vaccine

The COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, and available to everyone ages 6 months and up regardless of immigration or insurance status.

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COVID-19 testing

Find free COVID-19 testing sites near you or pick up an at-home test locally.

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COVID-19 and businesses

View guidance on safe operations and responding to COVID-19 cases in the workplace.

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COVID-19, schools, and childcare

Learn how to keep kids safe and respond to COVID-19 cases in schools and education/youth programs.

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Data dashboards

View data on COVID-19 in wastewater and COVID-19 deaths, hospitalizations and emergency department visits, and vaccinations.

Frequently Asked Questions

You should get a COVID-19 test if:

  • You have new symptoms of COVID-19 such as fatigue, headache, body/muscle aches, cough, fever, sore throat, and/or congestion.
  • In the last 5 days you have had close contact with someone with COVID-19 and you are at higher risk for severe illness or have contact with people who are at higher risk for severe illness, unless you already tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 30 days.

If you have symptoms and are at higher risk for severe illness because of other medical conditions, age, or a weak immune system, getting tested will help you know if you should get COVID-19 treatment to reduce your risk of severe illness.

If you have new symptoms but have already tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days, test yourself using an antigen test such as a rapid at-home test.

For more information on types of COVID-19 tests, visit the CDC’s COVID-19 Testing: What You Need to Know webpage.


 *Please do not come to the Emergency Room if you ONLY need a COVID-19 test.*

COVID-19 vaccines are now available for individuals ages 6 months and older!

The number of vaccines that you need depends on your age and the brand of vaccine. Visit the CDC's Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines webpage find out how many doses you need, and how long you should wait between doses.

The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, and side effects are mostly mild. People who receive all recommended doses have a lower risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19.

Visit the CDC’s COVID-19 Vaccines and Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines webpages for more information on topics like:

  • Vaccine eligibility
  • Types and brands of available vaccines
  • Mixing vaccine brands
  • Vaccine safety
  • Side effects
  • Vaccinations received outside of the United States
  • Getting vaccines if you had or currently have COVID-19

People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised have a different recommended schedule for COVID-19 vaccines. If you are moderately or severely immunocompromised, you are at increased risk of severe COVID-19 illness. In addition, your immune response to vaccination may not be as strong as in people who are not immunocompromised.

You are best protected when you stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters.

Visit the CDC’s COVID-19 Vaccines for People Who Are Moderately or Severely Immunocompromised webpage for COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for moderately or severely immunocompromised individuals.

There are several options for you to get a record of your COVID vaccination: 

  1. You may request your Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record from the state at https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov/ (provides immediate results).

OR

  1. If you were vaccinated by a healthcare provider, you may contact the provider that administered the vaccine. You may also contact your regular primary healthcare provider for your vaccine record.

OR

  1. If you received your vaccine in California, you have the option to request your COVID-19 vaccine record in-person at the Public Health Department Travel/Immunization Clinic located at 976 Lenzen Ave. Suite #1100 San Jose, CA 95126, phone number: (408) 792-5200
    1. You may also request a COVID-19 vaccine card by filling out the following form:
      California Immunization Registry (CAIR) Authorization to Release Vaccination Information.
    2. You will receive an email notification when your COVID-19 vaccine card is ready to pick up at the Travel and Immunization Clinic.

If you receive a text from the phone number 233-93 with a survey link, this is the County of Santa Clara Public Health Department contacting you to ask questions about how you are feeling and provide information about COVID-19 treatment and other resources. It is safe to click on the link in this text message.

Your privacy is incredibly important to us, and any information you provide will only be used by the Public Health Department to ensure the health and safety of our community. You will never be asked for your social security number, financial information, or immigration status.

Below are screenshots of what the text message and survey will look like:

CA Connected Screenshots

Description: These images show the text message and survey you will receive from the County of Santa Clara Public Health Department.

For more information, see this video from CDPH.

Some people are at higher risk for serious COVID-19 illness than others. Specifically, older adults, people who are immunocompromised, and people with underlying health conditions are more likely to develop more serious symptoms and to require more medical care, especially if they are unvaccinated.

For more information, visit the CDC’s People with Certain Medical Conditions webpage.

To learn more about COVID-19, visit the CDC’s COVID-19 Homepage or CDPH’s COVID-19 Resources webpage.