LOS ANGELES (CNS) — LA county officials opened three new COVID-19 testing sites this week in Panorama City, Montebello and South Gate to expand access to “high-need” areas.
The drive-up site in Panorama City, located at 14666 Roscoe Blvd., began taking appointments on Wednesday. The South Gate and Montebello locations opened earlier, on Monday and Tuesday.
By July 31, the additional sites were to have the capacity to test almost 2,000 residents a day, five days a week, according to the county’s Emergency Operations Center.
Los Angeles officials continue to deploy mobile testing units to communities with a high need for testing. Last week, the teams offered testing to residents in the Nickerson Gardens housing development and in Boyle Heights.
“Our communities of color have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 due to decades of systemic inequities and this is unacceptable,” Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis said. “While a county testing site may ask for insurance information in order to recover costs, no one will be turned away for being uninsured.”
Los Angeles had recently opened a testing site at the Veterans Affairs’ Parking Lot 15 at Jackie Robinson Stadium.
“Testing helps us track this virus, stop its spread and saves lives, so it’s imperative that Los Angeles continue delivering more tests than ever and deploying mobile testing to hard-hit communities,” Mayor Eric Garcetti said.
The city and county’s COVID-19 testing sites have a combined capacity to test more than 140,000 people a day, according to a joint statement. Testing is prioritized for people who have symptoms, are at high risk of contracting the virus and essential workers, but any Los Angeles County resident can make an appointment for a test.
COVID-19 testing is also offered at select CVS, Rite-Aid, Federally Qualified Health Centers and Los Angeles County Department of Health Services-operated health centers.
People can call 2-1-1 or visit covid19.lacounty.gov/testing/ or coronavirus.lacity.org/testing for the full list of sites, to make an appointment, and the most up-to-date information on testing availability.