Public Health officer encourages use of free COVID-19 testing; registration help available
- Lake County News reports
- Posted On
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace said COVID-19 testing is now more available and affordable than ever in Lake County, thanks to the county’s recent partnership with Verily’s Project Baseline.
Pace said COVID-19 testing through private clinics can cost around $130, inadvertently discouraging some from getting tested.
Verily and Lake County Health Services offer free drive-thru testing at different locations around the county, open daily during the week.
Appointments are available up to 48 hours in advance, so it may look like there are no appointments available if you try to schedule further ahead.
Go to the Verily website to get screened and register.
Testing locations are in Clearlake on Mondays and Tuesdays and in Lakeport on Thursdays and Fridays.
Wednesday testing alternates between Clearlake and Middletown.
The next Middletown testing dates are Wednesday, June 10, and Wednesday, June 24.
Misconceptions about registration
There are some common misconceptions surrounding the Verily registration process:
– Google tracks your information. According to Project Baseline, their testing program will never be joined with your data stored in Google products without your explicit permission.
– You must have insurance. While the registration process asks for insurance information if you have it, insurance is not required for testing.
Pace said some have expressed frustrations surrounding the online registration process, and the county doesn’t want that to be a barrier for those who think they may have been exposed.
“We need adequate testing to ensure the health of our residents as well as to meet the governor’s mandate for reopening our beautiful county,” Pace said.
If the registration process is a barrier to testing for you, please call the Health Department at 707-263-8174 for assistance.
Isn’t COVID-19 testing pretty uncomfortable?
Pace said testing isn’t uncomfortable anymore. Initially, tests used a 6-inch nasopharyngeal swab, and some experienced discomfort or involuntary coughing.
Starting next week, far less invasive mid-turbinate swabs will be used. See “Option 2,” 1:14 into the video above.
Are there groups that should particularly consider regular testing?
People exposed to high traffic areas (workers in public buildings, grocery stores, gas stations and restaurants, residents and staff in nursing homes or congregate living situations, etc.) are at higher risk of getting COVID-19, Pace said.
Forty percent infected people never show symptoms, and people that do get sick are often contagious for a few days before symptoms appear, so testing people without symptoms is important.
“We really encourage the business community to allow your workers to get tested, and Verily is a great option,” Pace said.
Frequently asked questions on drive-thru testing are available here.