The Los Angeles Post

TESTING CAPACITY CONTINUES TO EXPAND AT LA COUNTY-SUPPORTED SITES

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L.A. County-supported testing sites have the capacity to test up to 55,000 residents a week, an increase from 40,000 slots, to better reach vulnerable communities

As the need for COVID-19 testing continues to rise, the County of Los Angeles is expanding testing capacity at current sites and opening new sites in high-need areas. Due to this expansion, County-supported testing sites will have the capacity to test up to 55,000 residents a week.

Appointments are available at the following County-operated sites this week:

  • Beach Cities Health District – 514 N Prospect Ave., Redondo Beach, CA 90277
  • Bellflower City Hall –16600 Civic Center Drive, Bellflower, CA 90706
  • College of the Canyons – 26455 Rockwell Canyon Rd., Santa Clarita, CA 91355
  • East LA College – 1301 Avenida Cesar Chavez, Monterey Park, CA 91754
  • MLK Medical Campus – 12021 S. Wilmington Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90059
  • Montebello Civic Center – ­1600 W. Beverly Blvd., Montebello, CA 90640
  • Palmdale Hammack Center – 815 E Avenue Q6, Palmdale CA 93550
  • Panorama City – 14665 Roscoe Blvd, Panorama City, CA 91402
  • Pomona Fairplex Gate 17 – 1101 W. McKinley Ave. Pomona, CA 91768
  • Rancho South Campus – 7799-7701 Golondrinas St., Downey, CA 90242 – new site opening Tuesday, August 4th
  • San Gabriel Valley Airport – 4233 Santa Anita Ave., El Monte, CA 91731
  • South Gate Park – 4900 Southern Ave., South Gate, CA 90280
  • The Forum – 3900 W. Manchester Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90305

In preparation for the construction of the first-of-its-kind MLK Child and Family Well-being Center and to ensure the safety of residents, the site at Charles R. Drew University will relocate to the MLK Medical Campus on Tuesday, August 4th:

  • MLK Medical Campus – 12021 S. Wilmington Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90059 – effective Tuesday, August 4th

The MLK Medical Campus will accommodate walk-up testing. Nearby drive-up testing sites, including at the Forum in Inglewood, are open for testing. The MLK Child and Family Well-being Center will bring comprehensive services to children, adolescents and families. In partnership with County Departments of Health Services, Public Health, Mental Health and Children and Family Services, the Center will feature a specialized Pediatric Medical Hub Clinic for children in foster care, an Autism Wellness Center, and a Family Justice Center. To learn more, visit https://bit.ly/39IxSLl.

Four new County-supported testing sites, operated by Optum Serve, will begin to offer appointment availability this month:

  • Compton – Gonzales Park – 1001 W. Cressey St., Compton, CA 90222 – opening Monday, August 10th
  • Florence Firestone – Leon Washington Park Community Center, 8908 Maie Ave., Los Angeles CA 90002 – opening Monday, August 10th
  • Azusa – Memorial Park Gymnasium – 340 N. Orange Ave., Azusa, CA 91702 – opening Tuesday, August 11th
  • MacArthur Park – Mexican Consulate – 2401 W. 6th, Los Angeles, CA 90057 – opening Wednesday, August 12th

Two additional sites, operated by Optum Serve, will be adding additional capacity starting Monday, August 10th:

  • California State University, Los Angeles – 5151 State University Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90032
  • Hawthorne Memorial Center – Betty Ainsworth Sports Center – 3851 W El Segundo Blvd, Hawthorne, CA 90250

In total, this will add capacity to test an additional 8,500 residents a week.

“We are focused and committed to reducing the disparities of COVID-related illness across our communities of color and these additional sites are an important step, among broader efforts, to expand access to testing and halt the spread of this disease,” said L.A. County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas. “While this virus doesn’t discriminate, many of our vulnerable communities are bearing a heavier burden.  We will continue to take every step necessary to address the underlying economic and other factors driving this epidemic.”

“Expanding testing capacity among the communities that need it most is one of our top priorities as we address the impact of COVID-19 here in LA County,” said Dr. Christina Ghaly, Director of the Department of Health Services. “This is an equity and access issue and a big step in the right direction as we strengthen our support for vulnerable communities.”

COVID-19 testing is also offered at City of Los Angeles supported sites, State-supported testing sites through Optum Serve and Verily, select CVS, Rite-Aid, Federally Qualified Health Clinics, and other testing partners.

L.A. County residents seeking testing should contact their provider first, if they have one.  Testing at all County and City-operated sites is prioritized for people with COVID-19 symptoms, people working or living in high-risk places such as skilled nursing facilities, group homes and residential care facilities, persons experiencing homelessness, and people who were in close contact with someone with COVID-19. More information on criteria can be found by clicking here.

Testing availability is subject to change and testing is by appointment only. Visit https://covid19.lacounty.gov/testing/ or https://coronavirus.lacity.org/testing to view the full list of testing sites, find the most up-to-date information on availability, and to make an appointment.