Governor Gavin Newsom has announced that over 80 additional community testing sites would open across California. Locally, County of Santa Clara facilitated the opening of two community testing sites: one at James Lick High School in East San José and one at Christopher High School in Gilroy. The new testing sites will open this week.
These new sites, including the two local ones, are operated through a partnership with OptumServe, a health services business, and managed by the State of California.
“Testing is one of the most important tools we have to protect our community from COVID-19,” said Dr. Sara Cody, County of Santa Clara Health Officer and Director of Public Health. “These test sites are a welcome addition to testing capacity in our county. It is especially important to make testing readily available in communities that may have limited access.
“Our ultimate goal is that anyone, living in any neighborhood, can get access to testing, particularly those with symptoms of COVID-19, and those who work in settings where they may have frequent exposure,” continued Dr. Cody.
Testing at the two new sites will be by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, individuals can call 1-888-634-1123 or visit https://lhi.care/covidtesting. The screening and testing criteria are based on State guidelines and may be updated to reflect the latest guidance. The sites will be open 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, and each site will have the capacity to serve up to 132 individuals daily.
The County also announced a new online resource for testing information and access, sccgov.org/cv19testing. The page includes information about County and non-government locations where members of the public can be tested. It also includes information about testing for people who do not have insurance or access to a doctor.
“OptumServe is honored to assist California in expanding COVID-19 testing for residents,” said Patty Horoho, CEO of OptumServe. “We are bringing our full commitment and capabilities to serve Californians, including extensive experience conducting large community health events.”
At maximum capacity, OptumServe will be able to support up to 80 testing sites in California at one time throughout the state, increasing total testing capacity throughout the state by more than 10,500 tests per day.
“Thanks to the County of Santa Clara and to OptumServe for the collaboration to make these testing sites possible,” said Charity Dean, M.D., Assistant Director of the California Department of Public Health. “We’re working together as part of the state’s Testing Task Force to ensure regions with the greatest need have access to tests, and these sites are going to be a major component in reaching our testing goals.”