Imperial County increases testing with new location
IMPERIAL, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - Imperial County will launch a coronavirus (COVID-19) testing site in Imperial.
This, following California Gov. Gavin Newsom's announcement to add over 80 community testing sites across the state, focusing on underserved communities.
The County says this new site will open on Tuesday, May 5, and is scheduled to to conduct operations through the next two months.
The testings site will be located at the Plaza Building at the Imperial Valley Expo in Imperial.
Hours are Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and will be closed from 12:00 p.m. through 1:00 p.m.
The county says testing will be available by appointment only and can be scheduled online and by phone at 888-634-1123 starting May 2.
The county says testing will be available for three priority areas with the plan to include additional groups in phases.
OptumServe will bill the patient’s medical insurance for the test. Uninsured individuals may use the testing site and the cost will be covered by the state.
Anyone who falls within the priority areas listed in this news release is eligible to receive a test.
Priority 1:
- Hospitalized patients
- Symptomatic healthcare workers
- Persons identified for testing by public health contact investigations and disease control activities in high risk settings, including both residents and staff (E.g., congregate living facilities, correctional facilities)
Priority 2:
- Screening of asymptomatic residents of congregate living facilities prior to admission or re-admission to congregate living facility (E.g., a hospitalized patient will be screened for COVID-19 prior to discharge to a congregate living facility)
- Screening of asymptomatic healthcare workers (E.g., skilled nursing facility workers, hospital workers)
- Symptomatic persons in essential health and public safety occupations(E.g., first responders, law enforcement, congregate living facility workers)
- Symptomatic persons >65 years of age or with chronic medical conditions
Priority 3:
Symptomatic persons in essential infrastructure occupations (E.g., utility workers, food supply workers, other public employees)
“We are excited to see this increased testing capability come to fruition in Imperial County.” stated Luis Plancarte, Chairman of the Imperial County Board of Supervisors, District 2.
“The effort to increase COVID-19 testing capacity is part of the plan for economic recovery and local officials have worked diligently over the past few days to bring these necessary testing resources to our area.”
