Marin County COVID-19 Status Update:  Jan. 20, 2022

The Marin County COVID-19 Status Update is published weekdays and as needed to share important news and resources related to the COVID-19 pandemic and to keep the local economy running. We remain here for you.  

PCR Test Turnaround Times 

We have received numerous inquiries from community members regarding prolonged turnaround times for results from PCR testing. Increased demand for testing and limited laboratory capacity statewide has led to delays for some testing providers. Consumers are advised to ask testing providers regarding expected turnaround times prior to obtaining testing. Here is a list of current turnaround times for some of our most common testing providers. 

Note: The data sample was collected between the dates of January 12, 2022 and January 16, 2022. These records were for positive test results only.  

• Curative: 3-4 days 
• Kaiser Permanente: 2 days  
• LHI / Optum Serve: 4-5 days 
• MarinHealth: 2 days 
• Pharmacies: 2-4 days  
• COVID Clinic: 6-7 days 

If you are in need of a COVID-19 test, visit our Testing Page to find a location and schedule an appointment.  

Donate Blood, Save a Life 

During the pandemic, a communal focus has been saving lives. Similar to other areas negatively impacted by COVID-19, blood donations have also taken a hit both locally and across the nation. January is National Blood Donor Month, yet we are experiencing the most severe blood shortage in the last ten years. 

“While the need for blood is constant, California, along with the rest of the nation, is experiencing the most severe blood shortage in the last ten years.”  

~California Health & Human Services Agency Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly 

A great way to support our community is by donating blood. Our immunocompromised population including surgery patients, organ transplant recipients, and those undergoing chemotherapy all benefit when we donate blood. Additionally, there have been no reported cases of transfusion-transmitted coronavirus, including SARS-CoV-2, worldwide. 

Here are some recommendations from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on how to donate blood safely during the pandemic:  

• Refrain from donating until 14 days have passed since your vaccination 
• If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19, wait 10 days before donating  
• If you are experiencing COVID-19 – related symptoms, wait until symptoms resolve before giving blood 

The severity of the current blood shortage means every donation can make a big impact and maybe save lives. Thank you for doing your part. 

COVID-19 Data Update: 

Below is a summary of today’s data now available on Marin Data & Surveillance webpage. View the page for a broader range of data, plus interactive graphs for confirmed COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths. Data analysis is available by age range, gender, race, and city/town/geographic region. Questions about the data? See our Data FAQ. 

Looking for daily data trends? Our Marin Data & Surveillance webpage  uses Tableau dashboards to visualize the impact of COVID-19 in Marin County. Under each dashboard are links to datasets available on Marin County’s Open Data Portal. 

* Note that this percentage is out of all Marin residents including children younger than 5.