New COVID-19 testing site to open in Santa Maria

SANTA MARIA, Calif. -- Santa Barbara County Public Health and the State of California plan to open a new COVID-19 testing site in Santa Maria next week.

People living in the county can call or go online by this weekend to be screened for symptoms and risk factors.

Anyone who is deemed eligible can schedule an appointment at the in-person coronavirus testing facility in Santa Maria.

Public Health says no walk-ins will be allowed.

Anyone who is seeing more severe COVID-19 symptoms is asked to contact their doctor and stay home.

The exact location of the testing site has not been announced at this time.

This is the first of three community-based testing sites coming to Santa Barbara County.

Public Health plans to also open locations in Lompoc and Santa Barbara in the coming weeks.

The state selected the sites, and local resources are supporting the facility.

“This expanded COVID-19 testing option will be in Santa Barbara County for the next few months and possibly longer,” said Van Do-Reynoso, Santa Barbara County Public Health Director. “Testing services will cycle through key locations identified by the State. With additional testing, will also come expanded contact tracing and increased resources dedicated to safe quarantine and isolation housing, if needed.” 

Anyone with one or more COVID-19 symptoms and asymptomatic, essential workers will get priority for testing.

Public Health plans to release more information on how to be screened and schedule an appointment later this week.