As of Dec. 20, 397,374 San Diegans have tested positive for the novel coronavirus. There are dozens of locations around San Diego County to be tested for the coronavirus, with most government-operated locations conducting the exam for free, while many of the medical centers performing the tests may require insurance — check before you go.
Free County- and State-Run Sites
The county of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency and local healthcare systems have coronavirus testing sites across the county.
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To see testing sites by location, click here. To see testing sites by day, click here.
- County testing sites are managed by the California Department of Public Health and the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency
- The county has also deployed mobile testing sites in an effort to make testing widely available for priority populations.
- Additionally, the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) will host free pop-up COVID-19 testing sites at select transit stations. No appointments will be necessary and every station will be accessible by bus or trolley. Click here for more information.
- The county recommends that people with and without symptoms who are at higher risk for COVID-19 be tested. Healthcare and essential workers should also get a test, as well as people who had a close contact test positive, whether they are showing symptoms or not, or live in communities that are being highly impacted
- Testing results generally come back in one to two days
- While waiting for results, stay home if you are experiencing symptoms
- If you are unvaccinated and your results come back positive, or if you were around someone who tested positive, you should stay home and self-isolate
- Here is more on what to do before and after your test
All testing sites are weather permitting; call 211 to double-check which ones are open or visit this website, which has testing sites broken down by day of the week.
The migrant community is considered a vulnerable population and when calling 211 should let a nurse know of their insurance status to receive an appointment and be connected with a community health care provider, the county said.
Medical Center Testing, Which May Require Insurance
- CVS Health has thousands of locations across the country where testing can be done. For locations in San Diego County, click here
- Walgreens has thousands of locations across the country where testing can be done. Click here to find locations around the county.
- Kaiser Permanente is offering testing to patients at these sites
- Rady Children’s Hospital is partnering with the county to offer COVID-19 testing. For more details, click here.
- Residents of South Bay or border communities may opt for San Ysidro Health's testing location
- Scripps Health testing locations can be viewed here
- UC San Diego is conducting tests at these locations
CORONAVIRUS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY: What You Need to Know: Latest Developments | Resources | How to Help | What Has Reopened? | Photos: Coronavirus Impact in SD
