Expanded COVID-19 testing begins in Santa Barbara County
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. - The County of Santa Barbara announced it is working with the State of California to increase testing for COVID-19 through Community-Based Testing Sites.
Beginning Friday, May 1, residents of Santa Barbara County can make appointments to be screened and tested for COVID-19 at Community Based Testing Sites. These testing sites will be operated by OptumServe, a contractor of the State of California.
The initial testing site will be located at the Santa Maria Fairpark, 937 Thornburg Street in Santa Maria. The Santa Maria site will open on May 5 with locations in Lompoc and Santa Barbara opening later that week.
Testing sites are set to operate five days a week and days and times will be adjusted based on the community's needs.
All are eligible to screened by appointment only, however, individuals who meet the following conditions will be prioritized:
- Healthcare Workers and First Responders,
- Persons 65 years and older or any age with chronic medical conditions
- Residents or employees of congregate care living facilities,
- Persons in essential occupations which include utilities, grocery, food supply, and  public employees,
- Any persons exhibiting one or more symptoms of COVID-19.
These testing sites will help Santa Barbara County dramatically increase testing availability for all community members who had limited access to COVID-19 tests.
The County wants to remind the community that these will not be antibody tests, which determine if a person has had the COVID-19 virus in the past. These tests will only see who currently has contracted the virus and will hopefully give the community a better idea of how much the virus is spreading.
The County also said these tests will have no out-of-pocket expense or co-pay, and insurers of those who have coverage will be billed.
Anyone who makes an appointment will have to exit their vehicle and go inside the building for testing.
Screening and appointments can be made between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. by visiting https://lhi.care/covidtesting or by calling 888-634-1123 for those with no internet access.
