Santa Clara County Expands COVID-19 Testing

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA — Three days after entering Phase 2 of the state’s plan to reopen businesses shuttered by the coronavirus crisis, Santa Clara County announced it's ramping up its testing capability.

The County of Santa Clara Emergency Operations Center announced Monday the launch or expansion of six new test locations, adding three pop-up locations and drive-thru testing at four existing sites.

The locations were chosen based on data showing a higher rate of recent cases in these areas compared to nearby areas.

Testing is available seven days a week with an appointment.

There is no cost to get a test.

The county recommends that all essential workers, including grocery store clerks, food delivery workers, retail associates, first responders, among other workers who regularly interaction with the public be tested now and once every month going forward, the county said.

The County recommends that these front-line workers get tested even if they have no symptoms at all, noting that testing can identify the infection before a person experiences COVID-19 infection symptoms or before they spread it to another person with potentially deadly consequences.

People can get tested through their regular doctor, or from one of these new or expanded sites around the county.

Drive-thru testing will be made available at 1325 E. Calaveras Blvd. in Milpitas, 18550 Depaul Drive in Morgan Hill, and 777 E. Santa Clara St. and 1993 McKee Road in San Jose.

The county will also offer coronavirus testing this week at the Rengstorff Park Pool in Mountain View from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, and at the La Placita Tropicana shopping center in San Jose from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday.

“We are pleased to be working with the County to bring testing to one our areas of highest need in Mountain View,” Mountain View Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga said.

“We need everyone – including cities, the County, and private healthcare providers and labs – to do their part to help us get through this crisis.”

Testing at the Rengstorff Park Pool and the La Placita Tropicana shopping center is available without an appointment or health insurance.

"The county is bringing testing capacity to where it's needed," Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez said. "Please take advantage of this opportunity to get tested in your neighborhood: it's fast, free and you don't need insurance."

Testing is now available at 46 sites throughout the county. Residents can make an appointment at www.sccfreetest.org or by calling (888) 334-1000. The website can be accessed in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese and Tagalog.

Bay City News contributed to this report.