Coronavirus Testing Remains Important Even As Vaccine Efforts Scale Up

Gilroy CA

22 February, 2021

4:31 AM

Description

Press release from the Santa Clara County Government: February 20, 2021 Testing opportunities will be available this week in San José, Gilroy, Sunnyvale, Morgan Hill, Santa Clara, Los Altos, Palo Alto, Milpitas, and Alviso Santa Clara County, CA – As COVID-19 vaccination efforts and eligibility continue scaling up across Santa Clara County, those who are at risk of exposure are reminded to continue getting tested regularly. Testing is now more accessible than ever, with mobile testing buses going to new neighborhoods each week and saliva collection offered at pop-up sites to provide an easier, less invasive experience. "Getting everyone vaccinated is a significant part of our pandemic response right now, but we cannot forget the other critical public health tools, which include testing, masking, and social distancing," said Dr. Marty Fenstersheib, COVID-19 Testing and Vaccine Officer for the County of Santa Clara. "Testing is key to understanding the current level of community transmission, which is particularly important as we learn more about emerging variants." Public health officials remind frontline workers to continue routine COVID-19 testing to protect themselves and others in the community. Current public health guidance recommends testing at least once a month and up to once every two weeks, and continued testing even after being vaccinated. Appointment-based testing continues seven days a week at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds. Rotating appointment-only city sites this upcoming week will be in Sunnyvale, Morgan Hill, Santa Clara, Los Altos, Palo Alto and Milpitas. Walk-ins continue to be accepted at standing pop-up sites in Gilroy and San José, with mobile testing buses heading to Gilroy, Alviso, and San José. Appointments can be made starting seven days in advance of the testing date until all slots are reserved at www.sccfreetest.org. Appointment-based testing is also available in San José at the Fairgrounds, with appointments now available five days in advance. Testing is free at all these sites. Appointments are essential for reserving a testing slot. MOBILE TESTING BUS SITES — Testing by appointment, but drop-in may be available if space allows. Registration for a patient ID is needed for this mobile bus testing and can be done online at lhi.care/covidtesting or by phone at 1-888-634-1123. Gilroy OptumServe Mobile Testing Bus at Costco Wholesale-Gilroy, 7251 Camino Arroyo, Gilroy, 95020 Wednesday, Feb. 24, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Alviso OptumServe Mobile Testing Bus at George Mayne Elementary, 5030 N. 1st St., Alviso, 95002 Thursday, Feb. 25, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. San José OptumServe Mobile Testing Bus at Eastridge Mall, 2020 Eastridge Mall Loop, San José, 95112 Saturday, Feb. 27, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. APPOINTMENT-BASED TESTING SITES — Make an appointment by visiting www.sccfreetest.org and clicking on "Schedule an Appointment Today" Text message results are available at appointment-based County of Santa Clara testing facilities and an influenza test is included. San José Santa Clara County Fairgrounds Parking Lot A (across from the blue arch) - Drive-through, bike, and walk-up appointments Across the street from the Fairgrounds main entrance, 344 Tully Road, San José, CA 95111 Appointment hours: Monday, Feb. 22, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Tuesday through Thursday, Feb. 23 to Feb. 25, 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Friday, Feb. 26, 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 27-28, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunnyvale Sunnyvale Murphy Park, 260 N. Sunnyvale Ave., Sunnyvale, 94086 By appointment only for Monday, Feb. 22, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Morgan Hill Morgan Hill Council Chamber Building, 17555 Peak Ave., Morgan Hill, 95037 By appointment only for Tuesday, Feb. 23, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Santa Clara Santa Clara Central Park Library, 2635 Homestead Rd., Santa Clara, 95051 By appointment only for Wednesday, Feb. 24, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Los Altos Grant Park Community Center, 1575 Holt Ave., Los Altos, 94024 By appointment only for Thursday, Feb. 25, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Palo Alto Palo Alto – Mitchell Park, El Palo Alto Room, 3700 Middlefield Rd., Palo Alto, 94303 By appointment only for Friday, Feb. 26, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Milpitas Milpitas Sports Center, 1325 E. Calaveras Blvd., Milpitas, 95035 By appointment only for Friday, Feb. 26, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. POP-UP TESTING SITES – No appointments needed and only for people without symptoms. Testing done by saliva collection. San José Emmanuel Baptist Church, 467 N. White Road, San José, 95127 Tuesday to Friday, Feb. 23 – Feb. 26, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Gilroy South County Annex (formerly Del Buono Elementary) – 9300 Wren Avenue, Gilroy, 95020 Monday to Friday, Feb. 22 – Feb. 26, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The County test sites provide COVID-19 tests free of charge, regardless of immigration status, and no doctor's note is needed. For people without COVID-19 symptoms, the County currently offers indoor and drive-through sites. People with symptoms are directed to drive-through sites to reduce the chance of getting others sick. All healthcare systems are required by County order to offer free testing to symptomatic persons, persons who have been exposed to a confirmed COVID-19 case, and all essential workers. For more information on testing rights, see our Frequently Asked Questions page. All test sites are mapped on the County's website at www.sccfreetest.org. The site is available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Tagalog. Information is also available by calling 2-1-1. This press release was produced by the Santa Clara County Government. The views expressed here are the author's own.