SLO County opens new, free COVID-19 testing site in Grover Beach

GROVER BEACH, Calif. - San Luis Obispo County Public Health opened a new, no-cost COVID-19 testing site in Grover Beach Monday morning.

The site is located at 1336 Ramona Avenue, Suite A, in Grover Beach and will be open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

This new site is located just down the street from the previous testing site at Ramona Garden Park.

“We are committed to slowing the spread of COVID-19 and are pleased to be able to provide this new testing site for our community members in South County,” said Dr. Penny Borenstein, County Health Officer. “If you are experiencing symptoms or have come into contact with a known case of COVID-19, please get tested and then isolate yourself to avoid potentially spreading the illness while you await the results.”

County officials said the recent dramatic rise in cases has caused expanded the need for testing.

In June, the county was administering about 150 tests per day. In September, that number has spiked to about 1,000 per day.

"We have seen a recent surge in demand for testing," said Vince Pierucci San Luis Obispo County Liaison Officer." Our Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo sites have been testing off the charts, and so we really felt the need to go ahead and open up a third site to alleviate some of that demand and to be able to give South County residents an opportunity to get tested."

Pierucci added the county is urging people across the board to take advantage of the free testing opportunity.

"Don't take anything for granted," said Pierucci. "If you feel like you've been exposed. If you feel like you have something, err on the side of caution this time. It's better to be cautious than to be flippant about it. It's better to go get tested and get checked out, and to just make sure, hey, that really is just a summer cold because there's so many instances of people walking around that are asymptomatic and that are potentially spreading this deadly disease."

Health officials said you can schedule an appointment to get tested at www.EmergencySLO.org/testing or by calling 1-888-634-1123.

Testing demand tends to be highest on Mondays and lower later in the week.

Other COVID-19 testing sites in SLO County include:

• Paso Robles Train Station - 800 Pine Street
  Open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  Closed 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• San Luis Obispo Vets Hall - 801 Grand Avenue
  Open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  Closed 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

When registering for an appointment, health insurance information will be collected from those who have it, however no co-pay is required.

The county said those without medical insurance will not be charged.