FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 25, 2020
New system allows those seeking a test to check-in for a wristband
and return later at designated time -- but get there early
Santa Clara County, CA – The County of Santa Clara will offer COVID-19 diagnostic testing next week at two additional locations in San Jose and one in Gilroy, now with a convenient wristband system to allow people to avoid a long wait in line.
Those seeking a test can check in at any of the pop-up sites and receive a wristband for an hourlong timeslot later in the day; they then can leave and return at the designated time to get tested. This significantly reduces the amount of time that must be spent on site. However, the supply of wristbands depends on the number of available tests and are only available as supplies last. The County advises those interested in a test at a pop-up site to go earlier in the day rather than later to pick up a wristband. When the wristbands run out, people will be directed to other testing options nearby.
The walk-up testing sites provide COVID-19 viral detection tests free of charge without an appointment, symptoms, insurance, or a doctor’s note, and regardless of immigration status. Locations may change each week based on assessment of testing needs. The County’s objective is to increase the overall number of tests, especially in communities that have been hit hard by COVID-19.
POP-UP TESTING SITES NEXT WEEK IN SAN JOSE AND GILROY
No appointments are needed for a free and easy nasal swab test at any of these pop-up locations.
San Jose
Oak Grove High School student center – 285 Blossom Hill Road, San Jose, 95123
Tuesday to Friday, July 28-31, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 1, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
San Jose
Santa Clara County Office of Education, San Jose Room -- 1290 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, 95131
Tuesday to Friday, July 28-31, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Gilroy
South County Annex (formerly Del Buono Elementary) -- 9300 Wren Avenue, Gilroy, 95020
Tuesday to Friday, July 28-31, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Testing can identify COVID-19 before a person feels unwell or before they spread it to another individual with potentially deadly consequences.
“These walk-up test centers are very popular,” said Dr. Marty Fenstersheib, the County’s COVID-19 Testing Officer. “I encourage anyone who came in contact with someone with COVID-19 to get tested, as well as anyone who works on the frontlines in construction, supermarkets, restaurants or who regularly ride public transit.”
Individuals who have recently attended a gathering, party, or large family function where masks or social distancing may not have been observed are also encouraged to get tested.
In addition to the County’s pop-up sites, an OptumServe test center is moving to Gavilan College, 5055 Teresa Blvd., Gilroy. This site replaces the one that had been operating at Christopher High School in Gilroy. OptumServe sites are by appointment only; visit lhi.care/covidtesting or call 1-888-634-1123 to sign up.
There are currently more than 50 COVID-19 test locations in Santa Clara County, including those at community centers and schools, hospitals and clinics, and mobile testing centers. Summary data are published on the County’s COVID-19 Testing Dashboards.
The tests offered are viral detection tests, which diagnose a person who currently has the infection. Read more about the difference between viral detection tests and serology tests.
Take a video tour of a pop-up testing site to know what to expect.
For individuals experiencing symptoms or who have come into close contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19, the Public Health Department strongly recommends getting tested by calling a doctor or scheduling an appointment through one of the community-based drive-through sites.
County test sites and additional sites operated by other organizations are mapped on the County’s website at sccfreetest.org. The site is available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese and Tagalog. Information is also available by calling 2-1-1.
B-roll of a pop-up testing site is available for use by news media:
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