Santa Cruz County has made changes in who can get testing and where you can get tested. It’s good to know that:

• Salud Para La Gente (Salud) is now testing for COVID-19.
• You MUST CALL or TEXT us at (831) 728-0222 for an appointment ahead of time.
• You may not be eligible to get tested at this time. You may not meet our guidelines at this time.

You may be able to get a test at Salud if you qualify in one of these 3 ways.

• We can test you if you have symptoms of COVID-19.
  Call to set up a test if:
  • You have a fever, cough, or sore throat.
  • You are short of breath or very tired.
  • You have chills, muscle pain, or headaches.
  • You have lost your sense of smell or taste.
  • You have diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting.
• We can test you if you have had close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. This could be at work, at home, or somewhere else.
  • At Salud, we have trained contact tracers who can figure out if you do need to be tested.
  • We will talk to you about others you may have been close to and get them tested too
  • We can give you tips and help to keep you and your friends and family safe.
• We can test you if you could be exposed to COVID-19 at work or where you live. Even if you have no symptoms, we can test you if:
  • You live in a nursing or care home, homeless shelter, or a setting like that.
  • You work in a health care setting of any kind.
  • You work in a nursing home, shelter, jail, or prison.
  • You work as a first responder, like a firefighter, social worker, or police officer.
  • You grow, harvest, process, or pack food.

At Salud, we CANNOT test you if:

• You have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 3 months. This is because the test will likely still be positive. It won’t show it you are still sick or can spread the virus.
• You are worried about COVID-19 but have no symptoms and do not have the type of work listed.
• A doctor or contact tracer finds that you do not meet the testing guidelines at this time.

Call Salud at (831) 728-0222. We can help you find out if you qualify and set up an appointment.

There are places in Watsonville where you can be tested for COVID-19:

• Salud Para La Gente: Call (831) 728-0222 to find out if you can schedule a test.
• County Health Center Watsonville: Call (831) 763-8400 to find out if you can schedule a test.
• Ramsay Park Family Center: Go online to sign up at https://lhi.care/covidtesting or call (888) 634-1123

Wherever you go:

• You must call ahead of time.
• You must wear a mask.
• It’s free, but you must have an appointment.

Have questions about testing? Call Salud at (831) 728-0222 day or night!

• Call your doctor. If you do not have a doctor, you can call Salud at (831) 728-0222. You can call seven days a week, 24 hours a day. We are here for you.
• No matter your immigration status, you can get care for COVID-19. You can be treated and tested. Ask for the help you need to stay safe and healthy.
• If you do not have insurance, you can come to Salud or another community health center.
• If you get help for COVID-19, it will not impact your immigration status.

If you have COVID-19, you might have a mild illness. You may be able to get better at home.
Stay home except to get medical care.

• Do not leave your home, except to get medical care. Don’t go to public places like stores.
• Ask others to get your food and other things you need.
• Take care of yourself. Get rest and drink plenty of water. You can take Tylenol if you have a fever or headaches.
• Stay in touch with your doctor and follow his or her advice. Call before you get medical care. Be sure to get care if you have trouble breathing or other emergency warning signs.
• Don’t use buses, taxis, or share rides.

Keep yourself apart from other people.

• As much as you can, stay in one room and away from other people in your home.
• If you can, use your own bathroom.
• If you need to be around other people, wear a mask. They should wear a mask around you as well. You don’t need to wear a mask if you are by yourself.

Get emergency help right away if:

• You have trouble breathing.
• You have pain or pressure in your chest.
• You get confused.
• You can’t wake up or stay awake.
• Your lips or face turns blue.
• You have any other problems that worry you or your loved ones.

Here are other things to remember:

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Throw away tissues in a lined trash can.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds.
• Use hand sanitizer if you can’t wash your hands.
• Don’t share dishes, drinking glasses, towels, and other things with anyone.
• Make sure to clean and disinfect anything you touch in the home.

Go to cdc.gov to find out more.

Yes. You should cover your nose and mouth when you are in public and around people you don’t live with. Masks may slow the spread of the virus. You could have the virus and not know it. It’s important to both wear a mask and to keep 6 feet away from people you don’t live with.
Here’s how to use a mask the right way:

• Wash your hands before you put on your mask.
• Put it over your nose and mouth and pull it under your chin.
• Try to fit it snugly against the sides of your face.
• Make sure it’s easy for you to breathe.
• Do not use masks that have vents.

Follow these tips:

• Stay at least 6 feet away from others.
• Don’t come in contact with people who are sick.
• Wash your hands often.
• Use hand sanitizer if you can’t wash your hands.

Go to cdc.gov to find out more about masks.

COVID-19 is a virus that is part of a family of viruses, called coronavirus, that cause common mild illness like the common cold.

It is a new virus that has not been seen in humans before.

To find out more about COVID-19, go to cdc.gov.

We think COVID-19 is spread by droplets, when someone coughs, sneezes or talks that land on people nearby.

Spread is more likely when there is close contact. Spread in Santa Cruz county has been mostly from close contacts in the home. It also spread by being near people outside the home.

Here are the latest symptoms of COVID-19. Call Salud if you:

• Have a fever or chills.
• Have a cough or sore throat.
• Are short of breath or have a hard time breathing.
• Have muscle or body aches.
• Are very tired.
• Have a headache.
• Lose your sense of taste or smell.
• Sore throat
• Have a stuffy or runny nose.
• Vomit, or have nausea or diarrhea.

You may get these symptoms between 2 and 14 days after you have been exposed.

If you are worried, call Salud at (831) 728-0222 any time day or night.

Anyone can get COVID-19. Even young babies have gotten it. It can be dangerous for people at any age.

But some people are at higher risk to get very sick from COVID-19.

You should be extra careful if:

• You are over 65 years old.
• You have had cancer or kidney disease.
• You have COPD or other lung disease.
• You have a weakened immune system
• You are overweight.
• You have heart problems.
• You have sickle cell disease.
• You have diabetes.

If you are at higher risk you should:

• Stay home as much as you can. It’s the most important thing you can do.
• Get food brought to your house through friends, family, or other social networks. You may be able to order food by phone or online.
• Order your medicines and have them sent by mail.
• Listen to your public health officials.
• Wear a mask and stay six feet away from people who may visit or come by with your supplies. They should also wear a mask.
• Find ways to keep in touch online or by phone.