By Kathy Chouteau
Local residents can now make an appointment for free, drive-through COVID-19 testing at the West County Health Center, 23601 San Pablo Ave. in San Pablo. The site is one of four opened Wednesday in the county by Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) that are available to anyone regardless of their insurance status.
The testing is available to Contra Costa County residents experiencing fever, cough, fatigue, shortness of breath or other symptoms that might indicate a possible COVID-19 infection. Residents can call 1-844-421-0804 for a confidential screening by a health professional between 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
According to Candace Andersen, chair of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, the testing “will help us flatten the curve in Contra Costa County.”
Based on their symptoms, callers can receive a health consultation during their phone screenings or an appointment for testing at the nearest test site. Those who are given appointments are directed to travel by vehicle to them; test results will be available three to five days after the appointment.
In addition to the San Pablo location, other testing sites throughout the county include the Contra Costa Public Health Clinic Services, 2500 Bates Ave., Concord; Martinez Health Center, 2500 Alhambra Ave., Martinez; and the Pittsburg Health Center, 2311 Loveridge Rd., Pittsburg.
“It is crucial to ramp up testing in Contra Costa so we can get a more accurate idea of the spread of COVID-19 in our community,” said CCHS Director Anna Roth. “It is also crucial for everyone in the community to have access to testing, to better protect themselves and their families.”
For more info from CCHS re: COVID-19, click here.
