LA County Increases COVID-19 Testing with 8 New Community Testing Sites
Sites being stood up are part of a partnership between California and OptumServe
LOS ANGELES COUNTY — Following Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent announcement to add more than 80 community testing sites across the state focused on underserved communities, LA County is launching 8 testing sites. The new testing sites are opening on a rolling basis, over the course of this week and early next. These 8 sites are part of the 80 testing sites statewide powered through a partnership with OptumServe, the federal government health services business of Optum, a leading health services innovation company.
Testing will be by appointment only. Registration for all sites is now open. While anyone can sign up for a test, prioritization will align with all LA County testing sites, including those who are symptomatic as well as those who are asymptomatic and in institutional settings, over the age of 65, have a chronic medical condition, or are an essential worker. Anyone can sign up for an appointment, regardless of insurance or immigration status. Individuals will not be charged at any test sites.
“We’re so pleased to partner with the state and OptumServe to help meet County and State goals for testing,” said Dr. Christina Ghaly, Director of Health Services for LA County. “Our focus has been on expanding testing capacity among vulnerable populations and in underserved, at-risk, and low-income communities. These new State-supported sites are an important part of the overall plan to expand testing access in areas that most need it.”
To determine where to locate new testing sites, the state and county looked at both rural and urban areas with currently limited access to testing sites, with consideration for underserved populations, racial and ethnic disparities, and median income, with a goal of enhancing equity so residents have access to testing regardless of socioeconomic status. The County also evaluated these recommendations in the context of the existing testing sites at the time of evaluation as well as proximity to nursing homes, homeless shelters, temporary housing units, and other congregate living facilities. Once opened, these additional OptumServe sites will bring the total number of community testing sites across Los Angeles County to 47.
OptumServe has extensive expertise in rapidly deploying and setting up health care services and has worked closely with the military under the leadership of former Army Surgeon General and retired Lieutenant General Patty Horoho, RN.
“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.”
“Thanks to LA County 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.”
About these Sites:
Opened Early this Week
- ChapCare, 1595 N. Lake Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91104
- West Jordan High School, (Jordan Plus High School) 171 W. Bort St. Long Beach, 90805
Scheduled for May 7
- CSULA, 5151 State University Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90032 (LA BioSpace Building, 1900 block of Paseo Rancho Castilla, across the street from Public Safety Building)
- Santa Monica College (SMU) 2800 Airport Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90405 (also known as the “Airport” satellite campus)
- Hawthorne Memorial Center – Betty Ainsworth Sports Center, 3851 W El Segundo Blvd, Hawthorne, CA 90250
Scheduled for May 11
- ChapCare, 10408 Vacco Street, Suite A South El Monte CA 91733
- Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, 21840 Normandie Ave, Torrance, CA 90502
- County of LA Crenshaw Area Office, 3606 West Exposition Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90016
To Register for these sites: Please visit lhi.care/covidtesting
