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COVID-19 testing for FSH families

Help keep your family healthy

COVID-19 testing for Family Student Housing families

Now convenient, free COVID-19 testing is available for Family Student Housing (FSH) families. Keep your family and community healthy by participating in regular testing.

Testing is free, easy, and confidential

To register and schedule appointments, visit lhi.care/covidtesting. Registering for an online OptumServe Patient ID for COVID-19 testing is a one-time required event.

Testing appointments can be scheduled one week in advance.

Schedule Your Testing Appointment button

(If you do not have internet access, call 1-888-634-1123 to schedule an appointment)

Walk-in appointments are welcomed, however, you will need to have previously registered for an online patient ID.

Family COVID-19 Testing Site
OptumServe/LHI Care
Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
307 Church Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Mon-Fri 7am-7pm

Transportation

  • Use your vehicle to travel to the testing site
  • Santa Cruz METRO buses travel between UCSC campus and downtown Santa Cruz. More information and schedules
  • Subsidized Uber car service to-and-from FSH and the testing site is available.
    • If you are in need of transportation to-and-from the testing site and METRO is not an option, please complete the Uber Transport Request form.
    • Requestor must have a UCSC email address.
    • Requests will be responded to within two (2) business days, please plan accordingly.
    • You will need to have an Uber account to use this service. Set up an Uber account.
    • This service is only to be utilized for transportation to-and-from Family Student Housing and the testing site.
    • Other terms and conditions may apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

GETTING TESTED

What type of test is used?

An FDA-authorized nasal swab test for the active COVID-19 virus is used. All tests are performed by licensed clinical staff.

ABOUT THE TESTING SITE

Is the site accessible for people with disabilities?

Yes, the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium location is accessible in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

What social distancing measures are in place at the testing site?

The testing site is set up so that patients are able to follow CDC social distancing guidelines at all times. These guidelines are also enforced by our on-location staff.

Why is testing limited to a certain number of people?

Many factors determine how many appointments can be safely performed daily at the testing site, including the number of staff, the space available to practice safe social distancing, as well as the amount of time it takes to perform testing.

INSURANCE AND BILLING

Do I need to pay for the test?

No. There is no out-of-pocket expense for our tests.

YOUR SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT

Can I bring others with me to my appointment?

For safety purposes and to limit possible exposure, only patients who have registered are allowed in the testing facility. A parent or guardian must accompany each child for testing and wear a face mask during testing. (see PEDIATRIC TESTING below for more information).

TEST RESULTS

How long will it take to get my test results?

After you’re tested, we’ll let you know when your results are back from the lab, typically within 24 hours to 72 hours. Once available, you can view your results by logging in to your account.

If I test positive for COVID-19, when can I get tested again?

You should consult with your primary healthcare provider before considering getting retested for COVID-19.

PEDIATRIC TESTING

Can I bring my child for the COVID-19 test?

Yes, in California, minors under the age of 13 must be registered for testing by a parent or guardian. Minors between the ages of 13 and 17 can register themselves for testing via LHI.care/covidtesting and receive notification of testing results.

Minors can be registered on LHI.care/covidtesting, and will have a separate login from the parent or guardian.

The minor’s parent or guardian will receive a text or email notification that results can be viewed on LHI.care/covidtesting. The parent/guardian must sign in under the login established for the minor.

How are COVID-19 tests done in children?

Testing children is very similar to the nasal swab testing for adults. Parents/guardians are encouraged to prepare their children for the testing procedure before coming to the test site. The following information can be provided by parents/guardians in language appropriate for the child’s age:

  • You are going to have a test to find out if you have an infection called COVID that can make you or someone else sick.
  • The test will be done by a nurse who is wearing a special gown, face mask and gloves. The nurse will gently put a swab that looks like a Q-tip into each side of your nose. The test is very quick and doesn’t hurt, but it may make you feel like sneezing and your eyes may water.
  • It may also make you feel like moving away when the nurse puts the swab in your nose, but it is very important that you are very still while the swab test is being done. If you can’t be still while the nurse swabs your nose, I will help you by holding you in my lap and holding your head.
  • Parents/Guardians may find sharing this video with their children helpful in preparing for testing.

A parent or guardian must accompany each child for testing and wear a face mask during testing.

Ensuring safety of the child during the procedure is imperative. The child must remain still during the swabbing procedure to prevent injury to the child’s nostrils. Nurses performing the test will discuss the need for restraining children with parents/guardians before the procedure. Illustrations of suggested restraining techniques for children will be available at the test sites. Parents/guardians will be expected to restrain their children as needed to help them remain still during the procedure. If the child cannot remain still or the parent/guardian is unable to restrain the child for the swab to be performed safely, the clinician will inform the parent/guardian that testing cannot be performed and recommend the parent contact the child’s primary care provider for testing.

Safe, non-traumatic insertion of the nasal swab into the nostrils is essential. In the event the child’s nostrils are too small for the clinician to safely insert the swab, the clinician will inform the parent/guardian the test cannot be performed and recommend the parent/guardian contact the child’s primary care provider for testing.