Monterey County Increases COVID-19 Testing with Two New Community Testing Sites and Update on revised Health Officer Shelter in Place Order; Sites being stood up are part of a partnership between the State of California and OptumServe

Following Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent announcement to add 80 community diagnostic testing sites across the state focused on underserved communities, Monterey County will launch 2 testing sites in Salinas and Greenfield. The new testing sites will open on Tuesday, May 5 at 8:00 a.m. Establishment of community diagnostic testing sites is powered through a partnership between the State of California with OptumServe, the federal government health services business of Optum, a leading health services innovation company. A nasal swab will be collected, and specimens will be sent to a FDA approved laboratory for COVID-19 PCR testing.



The testing sites will prioritize healthcare providers, and first responders, with planning underway for prioritizing other frontline and essential workers before the service is available to the general public.  Health insurance will be billed for service and the State of California will cover the cost for uninsured individuals.



Testing will be by appointment only. Additional information will be released when appointments become available.



More Information:

Governor Newsom announcement to expand community testing in underserved areas
www.optumserve.com
www.mtyhd.org/covid19


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Monterey County Health Officer Dr. Edward Moreno will release a revised Shelter in Place Order on Friday, May 1 at 10 am.



This revised order will go into effect Monday, May 4 and while it extends the current order, it will include a lifting of restrictions on some low-risk activities for residents as well lift restrictions for some industries to allow segments of the community to return to work.