SLO County to close COVID test sites after losing state funding. Where can you get tested?
The San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department is closing community COVID-19 test sites permanently in Grover Beach, Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo after losing state funding.
The last day of operation for the no-cost coronavirus test sites will be Jan. 20, according to a news release from SLO County Public Health.
The community test sites were funded by the California Department of Public Health and operated by local agencies throughout the state.
“Testing remains an important part of preventing the spread of COVID-19,” SLO County Health Officer Dr. Penny Borenstein said in the release. “While it is disappointing that our community sites are closing, I encourage residents to use rapid home tests or visit one of the other testing providers in our community.”
“For those who have relied on these sites and need support lining up another option, I encourage you to contact our team,” she added. “We are here to help you through this transition.”
The county COVID-19 test sites are located at 1336 Ramona Ave., Suite A, in Grover Beach; 800 Pine St. in Paso Robles, and 3450 Broad St., Suite 111, in San Luis Obispo.
SLO County has conducted more than 250,000 coronavirus tests locally since early 2020, the release said.
Some test sites conducted more than 750 tests per day during peak COVID-19 surges, the county said.
As at-home antigen testing became more available, however, test site usage by the community dropped to about an average of 30 tests per day per site, according to the release.
Where can I get tested for COVID-19?
Although the community COVID-19 test sites are closing, there are plenty of ways SLO County locals can continue to test regularly for the novel coronavirus.
The federal government provides free at-home COVID-19 tests to households via covid.gov/tests.
Health insurance plans that are managed by employers, MediCal and Covered California are required to reimburse or cover the cost of up to eight COVID-19 tests per month per person on the plan. These tests can be purchased online, at a pharmacy or in stores.
More information about getting over-the-counter COVID tests for free is available at cms.gov.
Healthcare providers may also offer COVID-19 testing at their offices. For more information about COVID-19 testing options, contact Public Health online or by phone at 805-781-5500.
Patients who test positive for COVID-19 at home and do not have health insurance or cannot contact their provider within 24 hours can access free telehealth appointments for COVID-19 at sesamecare.com. Treatment can be provided at no cost if needed.
“I am grateful to the California Department of Public Health for providing this service for more than two years, and especially grateful to the testing staff who have put themselves on the front lines to help our community stay safe through COVID-19 surges,” Borenstein said in the release. “Your work has been heroic, and you have our community’s sincere thanks.”
More information about COVID-19 in SLO County is available at slopublichealth.org/COVID19.
