Public Health Topics
Testing

It is important to get a COVID-19 test, even if you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines:

  • If you have COVID-19 symptoms.
  • If you have been a "close contact" to someone with COVID-19. See ph.lacounty.gov/covidquarantine.
  • If you have COVID-19, to see if you can end isolation early. See ph.lacounty.gov/covidisolation.
  • Before and after travel. See Los Angeles County’s Travel Advisory for current recommendations.
  • Before or after attending a gathering or event.
  • For screening (schools, workplaces, venues, etc.).
  • If recommended by a healthcare professional or the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

Note: There may be other settings that have their own testing requirements.

The goals of diagnostic testing are to identify persons actively infected with COVID-19 (based on symptoms or exposure) to help guide clinical and infection control decisions. Learn more about testing here.


COVID-19 Testing Options

Through your medical provider:
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is asking people with insurance to first contact their medical provider to request COVID-19 testing through their own networks to ensure the testing sites help those who need it the most. If you're unsure if you need a test, check with your health care provider. If you don’t have a health care provider, call 211 to get a referral. If you are experiencing acute symptoms such as severe shortness of breath or are in distress related to COVID-19 symptoms, contact your physician. If it is an emergency, dial 911.

At-Home:

  • Through the federal government: Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order three sets of four free at-⁠home tests. Order your tests now so you have them when you need them. Learn more here.
  • Through Los Angeles County: The Los Angeles County Home Test Collection program offers an at-home nasal swab test kit via mail to Los Angeles County residents who meet the following criteria: have symptoms of COVID-19, or think you were exposed to COVID-19. Home test collection kits are provided at no cost to you and are available on a limited basis. Learn more here.
  • Through insurance companies and group health plans: Beginning January 15, 2022, individuals with private health insurance coverage or covered by a group health plan who purchase an over-the-counter COVID-19 diagnostic test authorized, cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will be able to have those test costs covered by their plan or insurance. Insurance companies and health plans are required to cover eight free over-the-counter at-home tests per covered individual per month up to $12 per individual test. Your health plan may cover the cost of your test if they have a network of pharmacies or retailers already setup. Alternatively, they may provide you reimbursement for the cost of over-the-counter tests regardless of the price if they have yet to set up a network of pharmacies or retailers. The best way to find out is to contact your health plan or insurer to determine if they provide direct coverage or if you might need to submit a claim for reimbursement. Residents can visit covidtests.gov for more information on reimbursement requirements.

Pick-Up:
Los Angeles County’s Pick-Up Testing Kit program allows residents to pick up a PCR test kit, perform the test and return the completed test to designated sites for processing. Residents will be notified of their test results within 24-48 hours. Pick-Up Testing Kits are provided at no cost to you if you meet the following criteria:

  • Have symptoms of COVID-19 

Or

  • Think you were exposed to COVID-19.

Please note the Pick-Up Testing Kits are not for use by those testing as requirement to return to school, work or participating in team sports. Learn more here.

Testing Locations:
There are many testing locations across the County including some YMCA sites, pharmacies and urgent care centers.

 

To find a nearby Testing Site, visit the LA County COVID-19 Testing website for locations that offer no-cost (free) testing:

Participating community clinics, providers and other agencies may ask for your insurance information or ask you to enroll in a government program so that they can get reimbursed for the cost of the test. If you are unable or unwilling to provide this information, some sites may charge a sliding scale fee. The County does not endorse or regulate all COVID-19 testing sites. Please make sure to read and ask about any costs for a COVID-19 test.

Urgent Cares and Private and Independent Health Centers: Many health care centers offer different types of COVID-19 testing. The turnaround time for results can take 15 minutes for antigen testing to 2-3 days for molecular and antibody testing. Check with your health insurance if the health care centers are in-network and if your plan covers the costs and fees for COVID-19 testing.

Testing Sites near the Beach Cities

Hermosa Beach

  • CVS Pharmacy—Hermosa Beach (155 Pacific Coast Highway, Hermosa Beach)
    310-372-4345
    Test type: Molecular Lab test (PCR)
    Drive-thru testing by appointment, referral not required, testing for all patients ages 3 and up
  • CVS Pharmacy—Hermosa Beach (4235 Pacific Coast Highway, Hermosa Beach)
    310-373-6847
    Test type: Rapid-result antigen test
    Testing by appointment, referral not required, testing for all patients ages 3 and up

Manhattan Beach

Redondo Beach

  • Health Unite Rapid COVID-19 Testing - Redondo Beach (Corner of Aviation and Marine, by Northrop Grumman)
    M-F 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.  (800) 340-1774
    Drive-thru and fast results, no appointment necessary.
  • CVS Pharmacy—Redondo Beach (316 Pacific Coast Highway, Redondo Beach)
    310-540-9183
    Test type: Molecular Lab test (PCR)
    Drive-thru testing by appointment, referral not required, testing for all patients ages 3 and up
  • Exer Urgent Care—Redondo Beach (725 S Pacific Coast Highway, Redondo Beach)
    424-296-3100
    Test Type: PCR, Antigen
  • Same Day Health—Redondo Beach (401 S Pacific Coast Highway, Redondo Beach CA 90277)
    Test Type: PCR, Rapid Antigen
    Appointments required, schedule appointment online, virtual doctor consultation not required, insurance accept
  • UCLA Health Redondo Beach Primary & Specialty Care (514 N Prospect Ave, Unit 103, Redondo Beach)
    310-937-8555
    Appointment required, referral required, tests limited to certain patients
  • Walgreens—Redondo Beach (2321 Hawthorne Blvd, Redondo Beach)
    Test Type: Diagnostic Lab Test (PCR)
    Testing by appointment, referral not required, testing for all patients ages 3 and up
    Drive-thru testing available

El Segundo

  • Walgreens—El Segundo (331 N Pacific Coast Highway, El Segundo, 90245)
    Test Type: Diagnostic Lab Test (PCR)
    Testing by appointment, referral not required, testing for all patients ages 3 and up
    Drive-thru testing available

Torrance

  • Walgreens—Torrance (4142 Pacific Coast Highway, Torrance 90505)
    Test Type: Diagnostic Lab Test (PCR)
    Testing by appointment, referral not required, testing for all patients ages 3 and up
    Drive-thru testing available
  • Walgreens—Torrance (2976 Sepulveda Blvd, Torrance CA 90505)
    Test Type: Diagnostic Lab Test (PCR)
    Testing by appointment, referral not required, testing for all patients ages 3 and up
    Drive-thru testing available
  • COVID Clinic—Torrance (3 Del Amo Circle Blvd, Torrance CA 90503)
    Test Type: Diagnostic Lab Test (PCR) & Antigen Test
    Walk-ins accepted, referral not required
    Drive-thru testing 
  • Torrance-South Bay YMCA
    2900 W Sepulveda Boulevard, Torrance, CA, 90505
    Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm
    Saturday, 8:00am-12:00pm

Gardena

  • Rite Aid—Gardena (1208 W Redondo Beach Blvd, Gardena, 90247)
    (310) 372-9029
    Drive-thru testing by appointment only, referral not required, testing for all patients ages 4 and up
  • Gardena-Carson Family YMCA 
    1000 W Artesia Boulevard, Gardena, CA, 90248
    Monday-Saturday, 8:00am-5:00pm

Hawthorne

  • Total Testing Solutions (3555 Rosecrans Avenue, Hawthorne, 90250)
    COVID-19 testing (online or in-person), flu testing, monkeypox testing and any certifications needed for travel
     

COVID-19 School & City Testing 

On July 25, 2022, Beach Cities Health District (BCHD) concluded its COVID-19 testing operations for Hermosa Beach City School District (HBCSD), Manhattan Beach Unified School District (MBUSD) and Redondo Beach Unified School District (RBUSD). BCHD entered into a Memorandum of Agreement – Service Agreement with local school districts to provide COVID-19 testing for K-12 schools to support the safe return to campuses and in-person learning. Funding was provided through the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and Los Angeles County Office of Education from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

More than 11,000 tests were conducted by trained BCHD staff at Redondo Union High School, Mira Costa High School, Hermosa Valley School, BCHD administrative offices and 514 N. Prospect Ave. in the former Child Development Center. Testing was provided for the following persons on an appointment-only basis: 

  • Student athletes 
  • Staff requiring weekly testing 
  • Students and staff who are symptomatic 
  • Students and staff who are close contacts to a known case 
  • Students and staff participating in optional weekly testing

BCHD COVID-19 Testing & Vaccination Site Successes


FAQs on COVID-19 Antibody Testing
What is antibody testing?
Antibody testing is a serum or blood test for antibodies to COVID-19. These tests can show if an individual has or has had the infection whether symptomatic or not.

What does antibody testing tell us?
Antibody testing tells us if an individual has or has had the infection but does not prove immunity at this time. More research needs to be done. 

What is the purpose of antibody testing?
Antibody testing helps us better understand how widespread COVID-19 is in our community, especially among individuals who have been infected and show no symptoms. 

Plasma Donations
If you’ve recovered from COVID-19, you may have antibodies in your plasma that attack the virus. Please consider donating plasma to help those in need. Visit UCLA Health or the American Red Cross for more information.