COVID-19 testing is available on campus for current students, faculty, and staff members through at-home rapid antigen test kits, available without charge at many campus locations. Students who have symptoms of COVID-19 or believe they have been exposed to the virus can also obtain PCR testing at Student Health; faculty and staff should use community sites for PCR testing. Information about the different tests can be found on the Student Health website.
Testing Information
Where to Find Your COVID-19 Test Results
Symptomatic Testing
If you think you may have symptoms of COVID-19, you can contact any of the following providers to arrange for a COVID-19 test in Santa Barbara or to seek medical care. Please check with each provider to clarify any charges, and to be sure your health insurance is accepted. Your private health insurance may also have resources for Telehealth that can provide you with medical advice, but may not be able to order a local COVID-19 test.
Further information can be provided by sending your question(s) to ucsb-covid19@ucsb.edu.
UC Santa Barbara Campus COVID-19 Testing
- At-home rapid antigen COVID-19 test kits are available in a variety of campus locations for current students, faculty, and staff.
How to Interpret Rapid Antigen At-Home Test Results
POSITIVE
A POSITIVE test result means that the virus that causes COVID-19 was detected in your sample and it is very likely you have COVID-19 and are contagious. Please follow the guidelines regarding self-isolation, and SELF-REPORT and upload a copy of your result through the form in in the MyHealth Portal under "Messages," then "New Message," and also answer the questions in the "COVID Positive Interview Questions" under the "New Message" option. There is a very small chance that this test can give a positive result that is incorrect (a false positive).
NEGATIVE
A NEGATIVE test result is presumptive, meaning it is not certain that you do not have COVID-19. You may still have COVID-19 and you may still be contagious. There is a higher chance of false negative results with antigen tests compared to laboratory-based tests such as PCR.
To increase the chance that the negative result for COVID-19 is accurate, you should:
- Test again in 48 hours if you have symptoms on the first day of testing; OR
- Test 2 more times at least 48 hours apart if you do not have symptoms on the first day of testing.
If you test negative and continue to experience COVID-19-like symptoms, (e.g., fever, cough, and/or shortness of breath) you should seek follow up care with your healthcare provider.
Student Health (Confidential services for UC Santa Barbara students)
- COVID-19 testing, if symptomatic or exposed to confirmed cases; test appointments may also be scheduled through the MyHealth Portal or by calling (805) 893-3371. This testing is covered by UC SHIP insurance, but for other students a charge will be made to BARC. Students are encouraged to submit charges to their other individual insurance providers.
- QLess virtual line for nurse advice.
Santa Barbara County Public Health Dept
- COVID-19 testing at Public Health Department offices, or check through https://myturn.ca.gov/testing.html.
- Information at https://publichealthsbc.org/
testing.
Cottage Health Urgent Care
- Open 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily at multiple locations including in Goleta at Hollister Village and on Calle Real.
- Appointments can be made online; if high demand, may only be able to provide COVID-19 tests by appointment.
Cottage Health Virtual Care Online Services
- Online visit, may refer out for testing if indicated.
- You may submit your receipt to your insurance company, but reimbursement is not guaranteed.
Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics
- (844) 594-0343
- Telehealth visits available; sliding scale fees based on income.
- Four locations for medical care in Santa Barbara; one in Isla Vista.
- Open evenings and Saturday.
- Call first to alert them if you have COVID-19 symptoms.
Sansum Clinic
- (800) 472-6786
- Sansum Urgent Care
- (805) 563-6110; 215 Pesetas Ln., Santa Barbara, CA 93111
- Telehealth visits available.
- Open weekends.
- Call first to alert them if you have COVID-19 symptoms.
The Med Center
- Open evenings and weekends (not all locations)
- (805) 681-7411; 271 N. Fairview Ave., Suite 101, Goleta, CA 93117
- (805) 682-7411; 2954 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93105
- (805) 965-3011; 319 N Milpas Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Other
- Information provided by the California Department of Public Health about additional COVID-19 testing sites in the area can be found here.
- COVID-19 Paxlovid Treatment and Test to Treat Options - Individuals can be tested, treated, and prescribed treatment for COVID-19 by their own health care providers, including UCSB Student Health, and other sites of care. COVID-19 medications must be taken within 5-7 days of symptoms starting to be effective. The federally-funded Test to Treat program provides all these steps in one location. The California Department of Public Health is also providing a free service through https://sesamecare.com/covidca (or call (888) 897-1244) to support uninsured and underinsured individuals within the State of California who cannot connect with a healthcare provider within 24 hours of receiving a positive test result. If you are insured, please try to reach your healthcare provider first. If you have difficulty doing so within 24 hours of your positive result, you are eligible for the free service.
The University does not recommend, endorse, warrant or guarantee any specific provider of medical services, or any product or service that they may offer and will not be a party to any transaction between you and such providers. The names of these medical providers are for information purposes only. As with the purchase of any product or service, it is your responsibility to use your best judgment in the selection of any appropriate medical provider.
Send comments to: ucsb-covid19@ucsb.edu.