All L.A. County residents can now get free coronavirus tests, Mayor Garcetti says

[iluvtennis]

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-04-29/all-l-a-residents-can-how-get-coronavirus-test-garcetti-says

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced Wednesday that all county residents can now get free coronavirus testing at city-run sites.

Until now, only residents with symptoms as well as essential workers and those in institutional settings like nursing homes could be tested.

Officials say expanded testing is essential to getting a better sense of how many people have the virus — data that could be used to ease stay-at-home rules.

Under the new guidelines, priority for the same- or next-day testing will still be given to people with symptoms, such as a fever, cough and shortness of breath.

Testing will also be prioritized for certain critical frontline workers who interact with the public.

Testing is by appointment only and is being provided by the city in partnership with Los Angeles County and Community Organized Relief Effort. As of April 21, there were 35 testing sites across the county.

Los Angeles County health officials on Wednesday announced the largest influx of new coronavirus cases reported in a single day since the outbreak began, pushing the county’s total number of infections past 22,400.

Public Health Department Director Barbara Ferrer announced 1,541 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, nearly 1,000 more than what was reported the previous day. The large increase is mostly the result of a boost in testing as well as a lag in weekend reporting, Ferrer said.

Despite the increase in confirmed cases and new deaths, Ferrer said, the county’s rate of hospitalizations and the percentage of people testing positive for the virus have remained fairly stable.

Health officials also noted that there has been increased testing at prisons throughout the county, which has also led to an increase in the number of confirmed cases.

...short article, no more at link

Tests are by appointment only. You can sign up here for appt: https://lacovidprod.service-now.com/rrs

----
great news!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. That is great news, and thanks for telling us!

[Alex4Martinez]

3. I want one!

But I'm not in LA.

(sad)

[The_REAL_Ecumenist]

5. I live in NorCal BUT I'm a native Angelena....Does that count?

[Upthevibe]

2. This is such great news!

I feel so safe and thankful to be living in L.A. A great big thank you to Mayor Garcetti!

[kysrsoze]

4. We're in L.A. county, but we show no symptoms. We'd really like to have an antibody test...

Not sure when those are coming, and we don't want to get in the way of others who think they've been exposed or are showing symptoms.

[AlexSFCA]

6. antibody test is widely available to anyone

at quest diagnostics, not free though.

[iluvtennis]

8. This testing is available to all - those showing symptoms and those not. My mom isn't

showing any symptoms, but she 83 years old and wants to take the test. She went to the website and signed up and has appointment on Friday May 1st. It's drive through testing which is added layer of safety for her.

[Igel]

7. Subject to availability.

With priority given to certain groups.