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By Adia White, Northern California Public Media
Updated May 3, 2020
Sonoma County is launching two new coronavirus testing sites in Santa Rosa and Petaluma that will be open to community members with and without symptoms. The sites will open on Tuesday, May 5, and are provided through the State of California in partnership with the private company, OptumServe.Tests are available by appointment only. To make an appointment call 1-888-634-1123 or visit https://lhi.care/covidtesting. According to a press release sent out by the County of Sonoma, tests will be available for free for community members without insurance. Insurance companies will be billed for all other tests.
(Image: COVID-19 test kits. Credit: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)
The two new testing sites in Sonoma County are a part of Governor Gavin Newsom's plan to expand testing capacity statewide. On April 22, Governor Newsom announced his office would launch at least 80 new testing sites across the state. These sites will increase the state's testing capacity by more than 10,500 tests per day and the County's testing capacity by more than 260 tests per day.
In a press release, Board Chair Susan Gorin said that “This will help us get reach our goal of conducting 600 - 800 tests per day, which will help us to understand the spread of COVID-19 here in Sonoma County – a critical step toward opening the County back up.”
Increased testing capacity is one of six criteria that Governor Gavin Newsom said will drive the state's decision to lift shelter in place. Other criteria include preventing infection in people who are most at risk, being able to handle surges in hospitals, developing therapeutics to meet demand, ensuring businesses, schools, and child care facilities can support physical distancing, and setting criteria as to when to reinstate the stay-at-home order if need be.
