COVID-19 Testing

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In cooperation with the County of San Mateo and community partners, the City of Half Moon Bay is pleased to offer free COVID-19 testing to Coastside residents. City operated sites will utilize County provided Curative test kits, which are self-administered mouth swabs, and available for anyone over the age of 5. Please see below for times and locations of testing in Half Moon Bay.

In addition to the City sites, San Mateo County residents can access free testing, without restrictions, through Verily’s Project Baseline. Testing is offered with an advance appointment at several sites, including the San Mateo County Event Center and Our Lady of the Pillar Catholic Church. Visit the County’s COVID testing web page for more information on Project Baseline, testing requirements, and times and locations.

City Run Testing Times and Locations

Mondays, 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. - Ted Adcock Community Center. 535 Kelly Avenue, Half Moon Bay
FYI - there will be no testing on December 28, 2020. Weekly testing will resume on January 4, 2021.
Register for an appointment at: https://curative.com/sites/9156.

Drop-in patients will be accommodated, but pre-registration is encouraged for a faster testing experience. Tests are free, but providing insurance information will help limit the City and County costs for the testing. There should be no co-pay or cost share. Please wear a mask and maintain social distance from others outside of your household. You must wait at least 20 minutes after eating, drinking or smoking to take the test. All testing takes place outdoors, so please dress accordingly and be prepared for cool coastside weather.

Information about the Curative Self-Administered Tests

Curative’s oral fluid sample collection method is less invasive than many other methods of COVID-19 testing. The test is also self-administered, meaning test observers guide patients through the sample collection process from a distance. This significantly decreases both the demand placed on frontline staff and the need for frequent changing of personal protective equipment. Children over the age of 5 may also be tested, when accompanied by a parent or guardian.

To collect a sample for testing, the patient is first instructed to cough three times, releasing particles from the upper and lower respiratory tract into the patient’s saliva. The patient then swabs the inside of the mouth and seals the swab in a secure container for laboratory processing. Results are made available to patients via email, text or a toll-free phone number within 2-3 days.

See below for frequently asked questions about the testing process, the Curative test kits, and a video on how to self-administer the test.

Community Testing Frequently Asked Questions

Curative Inc. Frequently Asked Questions

After a Test: What’s Next?

Most results are returned in 72 hours.

If your first COVID test is negative, you should get tested again if you:

Are concerned about possible exposure
Have spent time with people outside your household
Have had exposure to someone with confirmed or possible COVID-19
Have symptoms
Work in a congregate setting like a nursing home or shelter are planning to visit someone at high risk for severe COVID-19 illness

If you test positive for COVID-19, a contact tracer with San Mateo County Health will contact you. Certain support services may be available for those who qualify.

If you do test positive, view home isolation instructions in multiple languages.

Why is COVID-19 testing important?

The results of your COVID-19 test, along with other information, can help you and your health care provider make informed decisions about your care.

Being tested for COVID-19 may help limit the spread of COVID-19 to your family and others in your community.
Widespread testing also helps inform the public health response, allowing health care professionals to quickly discover patterns and respond to outbreaks.
Testing also plays a key role in determining what sectors of the economy are permitted to open – and help all of us get back to work, to school and to enjoy everyday life safely.
Widespread testing along with a low rate of positive tests helps our community comeback from COVID-19.

See the County’s Testing Plan to learn more about the County’s priorities.

COVID-19 PUBLIC CALL CENTER

Call 211 or 800-273-6222
For non-emergency, non-medical questions
24 hours a day, 7 days a week