Alameda County Releases Interim Guidance for Non-Urgent Procedures August 14, 2020 General COVID-19, Public Health The Alameda County Health Care Services Agency released interim guidance on testing for COVID-19 prior to non-urgent procedures. Alameda County released a health advisory in mid-May encouraging practices to gradually resume non-urgent procedures. Due to the continued risk of COVID-19, Alameda County requests that clinicians screen all patients for symptoms of COVID-19 and for close contact to an individual with confirmed COVID-19 prior to performing non-urgent procedures. Patients with symptoms should be referred for additional care. Patients with close contact to an individual with COVID-19 should quarantine for 14 days before undergoing any procedure. Clinicians may consider testing all other patients for COVID-19 prior to procedures, with a confirmed negative test required before performing the procedure.