Where to get tested for coronavirus, other help during the pandemic in Sonoma County

Here is a list of where to receive food, coronavirus testing and more during the pandemic.|
ELISSA CHUDWIN
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

How To Reduce Your Risk

Local health officials urge practicing good hygiene to reduce the risk of becoming infected with a respiratory virus, such as the flu or coronavirus. This includes:

• Washing hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds

• Avoid touching your eyes and face

• Cough or sneeze into your sleeved elbow

• Stay home when ill

Source: Sonoma County Department of Health Services

For more information, go to sonomacounty.ca.gov/Health/Information-About-Coronavirus.

Questions or concerns can be directed to the county's 24-hour information hotline at 211 or 800-325-9604. You can also text "COVID19" to 211211 for coronavirus information.

For more stories about the coronavirus, go here.

As Sonoma County continues life under a shelter-in-place order, many people may be wondering where to get food or where to get coronavirus testing.

If you or someone you know is in need of help, here is a list of organizations and resources that are providing assistance. This list is being updated as we learn more, and you can let us know what we've missed at onlineideas@pressdemocrat.com.

Virus prevention and testing

Not everyone who displays symptoms of the coronavirus, which include fever, coughing and shortness of breath, are being tested. Doctors are most likely to order testing for patients who work in the public, are elderly, have underlying health conditions or have recently traveled to hotbeds like China or Italy. People who are tested may wait several days before receiving the results.

Questions or concerns about the coronavirus can be directed to Sonoma County's 24-hour information hotline at 211 or 800-325-9604. You also can text "COVID19" to 211211 for coronavirus information.

If you are an older adult or have a chronic medical condition such as diabetes or lung disease, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advice on preventative measures. Find it here.

OptumServe

The state of California and OptumServe have initiated two testing sites, in Santa Rosa and Petaluma. Tests are available whether or not a person has symptoms. Appointments are available on weekdays and can be reserved here. If the person getting tested has insurance, the insurance company will be billed. If not, tests are free and will still be provided. Those getting tested will have to get out of their cars for the test. For more information, visit socoemergency.org.

West County Health Centers

West County Health Centers is offering coronavirus testing to current patients who are either showing symptoms of COVID-19 or who have come into contact with someone who has the virus. Appointments for testing can be made by calling West County Health Centers and having a screening appointment with a medical provider. West County Health Centers also is offering current patients telehealth visits via phone and video. In-person visits are offered on an as-needed basis, and walk-in visits currently are not permitted. For more information, click here.

Sutter Health

Sutter patients who suspect they have COVID-19 can call its advice line at 866-961-2889 from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Patients also can use Sutter's online symptom checker and schedule a video visit through Sutter Health's online web portal, which can be found here. During the virtual appointment, a doctor will determine if and where a person should be tested. People who do choose to book in-person appointments should let their providers know that they're experiencing symptoms of the coronavirus prior to the visit. For more information, click here.

St. Joseph Health

St. Joseph Health is asking people with symptoms of coronavirus to schedule a virtual visit, call their doctor's offices or reach out to the Sonoma County Health Department at 211 or 800-325-9604. St. Joseph Health offers an online coronavirus assessment tool here. St. Joseph Health also has asked patients who have symptoms of coronavirus only to come to the emergency room if its an emergency or a health care provider recommended to do so.

Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is recommending that people who think they have the coronavirus first call 1-866-454-8855 to speak with a clinician. Both a referral and an appointment is needed before testing will occur. For more information, click here.

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Mental Health

Parents, first responders and people recently released from quarantine can receive tips on managing their mental health from the CDC here.

West County Health Centers has provided a list of resources for people dealing with anxiety and stress during the pandemic. See the list here.

Kaiser Permanente offers resources for people dealing with mental health issues here.

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Food

Go here for a list of grocery stores in Sonoma County offering seniors-only hours, curbside pick-up and deliveries. Go here for a list of grocery stores that deliver or provide curbside pick-up in Mendocino County, provided by the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office.

Santa Rosa City Schools

Santa Rosa City Schools is offering a drive-thru meal service for students on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at nine locations throughout the city. Students ages 18 and under from any school district are eligible to receive two breakfasts and lunches on Monday and three breakfasts and lunches on Wednesday. For more information, visit srcschools.org/freemeals.

Petaluma City Schools

Petaluma City Schools are providing grab-and-go meals to all students who attend district schools and any of their siblings who are younger than 18. Breakfasts and lunches are being distributed on Mondays and Thursdays from 9-11 a.m. at Petaluma Junior High (700 Bantam Way, Petaluma) and McDowell Elementary School (421 S. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma). Students do not need to be present at the time of pickup. For more information, go here. Questions can be directed to the Food Services Department at rdigiaimo@petk12.org or 707-778-4636.

Redwood Empire Food Bank

The Redwood Empire Food Bank is providing food to residents in need without proof of income, Food Connections manager Maria Fuentes said. Residents can visit the office (3990 Brickway Blvd., Santa Rosa) for a box of dry goods or to be directed to a pick-up location. Coronavirus concerns have forced some pick-up locations to close and others' hours to be extended, so visit getfood.refb.org for an updated list. Additional questions can be directed to 707-523-7900.

The food bank also has partnered with local school kitchens to provide families lunch and care packages with groceries. The meals can be picked up from any of the participating schools, but children must be present to receive food. Click here for a list of participating schools and here for a map to see where they're located.

Meals on Wheels

Run by the Council on Aging, Meals on Wheels provides seniors with food in exchange for a small monetary donation, although no one in need is turned away. For more information about meal delivery, call 707-525-0143. Meals on Wheels also is distributing meal packs at seven pick-up locations throughout Sonoma County for residents ages 60 and older. The suggested donation is $20 per pack, and residents must register the day before by 10 a.m. to receive the meals. For more information, call 707-525-0143 ext. 013.

Corazón Healdsburg

Corazón Healdsburg (1557 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg) is offering a drive-thru service for Healdsburg residents to receive groceries and takeout meals on Tuesdays from 11 a.m. -1 p.m. Residents do not need to show ID but will be asked to give their name and address. For more information, visit the organization's Facebook page.

Catholic Charities

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa is continuing its food distribution programs for anyone who needs help feeding their family throughout the pandemic. Go here for a list of days, times and locations. Go here for more information and a full list of resources.

Salvation Army

Salvation Army is providing food to any resident in need Monday-Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon during the pandemic, said Santa Rosa Salvation Army Capt. Rio Ray. To receive food, go to the parking lot of the Corps Community Center (93 Stony Circle, Santa Rosa) with a valid ID. Families are limited to picking up groceries once per week. For more information, call 707-542-0981.

Windsor Service Alliance Food Pantry

The Windsor Service Alliance Food Pantry (8987 Windsor Road, Windsor) is doling out fresh produce and packaged groceries to Windsor residents on Fridays from 2-5 p.m. Go here or call 707-838- 6947 for more information.

Healdsburg Food Pantry

Healdsburg Food Pantry (1505 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg) is providing Healdsburg and Geyserville residents with food Tuesday-Friday from 3-4:30 p.m. Go here for more information.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma-Marin

Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma-Marin are providing grab-and-go lunches for children who live in west county. Meals can be picked up at Guerneville Elementary School (14630 Armstrong Woods Road, Guerneville) from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Children must be present to receive the meals. For more information, go here.

Rotary Clubs of Santa Rosa, Petaluma and Rohnert Park

Several Rotary Clubs in Sonoma County are offering drive-thru meal services every Saturday at noon for both laid-off and employed hospitality and service workers in need. Meals can be picked up at these locations: Rohnert Park-Cotati Regional Library (6250 Lynne Condé Way, Rohnert Park), the Multicultural Child Development Center (1650 W. 3rd St., Santa Rosa) and the Petaluma Community Center (320 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma).

Ceres Community Project

Ceres Community Project is providing meals and food assistance to Sonoma and Marin County residents who are facing serious medical and financial challenges. Residents must meet several qualifications to receive assistance, such as being without a caretaker to provide meals. If you meet Ceres' qualifications, call the client intake line at 707-829-5833, ext. 201. It may take up to 48 hours to receive meals.

Food For Thought

Food For Thought provides weekly groceries and frozen meals to people living with HIV and other serious illnesses in Sonoma County. Go here for more information. To apply for assistance, contact client services director Nina Redman at NinaR@FFTfoodbank.org or 707-887-1647 ext. 119.

Friends in Sonoma Helping

Friends in Sonoma Helping (18330 Sonoma Hwy., Sonoma) will provide Sonoma Valley families in need with groceries twice per month. To receive groceries, first call 707-996-0111 between 9 a.m.-noon on weekdays. For more information, go here.

River to Coast Children's Services

River to Coast Children's Services (16300 1st St., Guerneville) is providing west county families in need with groceries, formula, diapers and gas vouchers. Items can be picked up Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. or by appointment. For more information, go here.

La Luz Center

If you are unable to attend other food distributions in Sonoma Valley because of lack of transportation or a health condition, La Luz Center (17560 Greger St., Sonoma) will work with you to ensure that you receive food, community engagement programs manager Angie Sanchez wrote in an email. To receive help, call 707-938-5131.

The Living Room

The Living Room (1207 Cleveland Ave., Santa Rosa) has transitioned from a women and children's day shelter to a crisis center. The organization is distributing hot meals and groceries to anyone who is in need Mondays-Fridays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. It also is offering pet supplies, water, hygiene products and mobile showers on Wednesdays from 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. Go here for more information.

Food for All - Comida para Todos

Food for All - Comida para Todos delivers weekly Redwood Empire Food Bank family meals and supplemental essentials to Sonoma Valley residents who are homebound, economically challenged or do not have transportation and can't access other drive-up distribution sites. Go here to sign up.

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Financial Assistance

If you have been laid off recently or are seeking additional income, here is a list of businesses hiring locally right now.

File for unemployment

Residents who have become unemployed because of the pandemic can file an unemployment claim with the State of California here. Residents must meet the state's eligibility requirements, which include being physically able to work and being fully or partially unemployed, among other criteria. Click here for more information.

Utility Assistance

Salvation Army is offering to help people in need pay their water, electric and other utility bills. These services are available in the afternoon at the Corps Community Center (93 Stony Circle, Santa Rosa) by appointment only. For more information, call 707-542-0981 or click here.

North Coast Energy Services is providing assistance with electric, natural gas, propane, kerosene or heating oil bills that cover at least 22 days of service. Once approved for assistance, a pledge is made on your account, and payment is credited within 8-12 weeks. The nonprofit also will repair and replace unsafe heating and cooling devices. For more information or to apply for assistance, visit northcoastenergyservices.com.

The Press Democrat wants to know what stories you see emerging and what you're experiencing locally during the shelter-in-place order. Reach out to us at coronavirus@pressdemocrat.com.

How To Reduce Your Risk

Local health officials urge practicing good hygiene to reduce the risk of becoming infected with a respiratory virus, such as the flu or coronavirus. This includes:

• Washing hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds

• Avoid touching your eyes and face

• Cough or sneeze into your sleeved elbow

• Stay home when ill

Source: Sonoma County Department of Health Services

For more information, go to sonomacounty.ca.gov/Health/Information-About-Coronavirus.

Questions or concerns can be directed to the county's 24-hour information hotline at 211 or 800-325-9604. You can also text "COVID19" to 211211 for coronavirus information.

For more stories about the coronavirus, go here.

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