Santa Clara County took time today to remind residents that COVID-19 testing is free. To get tested, you don’t need insurance or even symptoms. The County and the State of California, in partnership with Verily, have opened an additional testing site at PAL Stadium in East Side San Jose. The goal is to test an additional 300 people a day at this new site.
To be eligible for the test, residents must be 18 years or older and electronically sign a COVID-19 Public Health Authorization Form and Lab Consent. Residents must visit the Baseline COVID-19 Program at www.projectbaseline.com/COVID19 to screen their symptoms and make an appointment for testing. According to John Propst, Head of COVID-19 Testing Operations with Verily, he’s seen the test take less than three minutes with an appointment.
The PAL Stadium testing site’s hours are 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, and it’s walkable or you can also drive up to get tested. To find other sites visit sccfreetest.org or call 2-1-1.
This announcement expands on the announcement made last Friday, where County of Santa Clara COVID-19 Testing Officer Dr. Marty Fenstersheib stated that workers who interact with the public should get tested for free at least once a month.
Today, Dr. Fenstersheib also reminded the public that there is a new, less-uncomfortable testing procedure. They now use short nasal swabs that do not need to be inserted as deeply as previous tests. This newer test is self-administered at the testing site. When tested, you insert the short nasal swab into each nostril for 10 seconds and then place the swab into a container to be tested.
The County has a goal of testing 4,000 people a day, but Dr. Fenstersheib emphasized that workers who interact with the public are a high priority.
Dr. Fenstersheib also revealed plans to eventually launch mobile testing sites.*
For more information, visit sccfreetest.org.
*Update: On Friday, May 22, the County did a soft launch of a mobile testing unit that will serve East Side San Jose.
