Two Walk-up Coronavirus Testing Sites Open

CATHEDRAL CITY — This community is one of two new walk-in testing sites for those interested in being screened for coronavirus. The other site is in Moreno Valley.

Testing at Crossword Christian Church in Moreno Valley and the Cathedral City Public Library started today, Monday, May 18 and will continue Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. The church is located at 21401 Box Springs Road, while the library is located at 33520 Date Palm Drive.

These are the first walk-in testing sites operated by the county; the four others are drive up sites located in Indio, Lake Elsinore, Perris and Riverside.

“As we continue our response to this epidemic, we have refocused our efforts to test as many Riverside County residents as possible,” said Kim Saruwatari, director of Riverside County public health. “These two sites and others that are in the planning process will help reach that goal.”

So far, more than 80,000 Riverside County residents have been tested at the county’s four sites, along with screenings at clinics, hospitals, private labs and other locations. There are also eight state-run, walk-in testing sites located throughout Riverside County.

Testing at the county-run sites is open to anyone, whether they have symptoms  or not, and there are no out-of-pocket costs to individuals. Participants will be asked to provide information about their health insurance, but they will not be charged any share of costs or copay, and will be allowed to get tested even if they do not provide the insurance information. You must have an appointment to get tested.

To make an appointment at a county-operated site, call 800-945-6171. To make an online appointment at the state-run testing site, click here or those without internet access can call 888-634-1123.

The walk-in testing sites comes as the California Department announced that starting today, Monday, May 18, some sectors of the economy statewide can begin reopening with modifications, including office spaces and counseling services in places of worship, curbside libraries and drive-in movie theaters.

“Californians have done incredible work flattening the curve and slowing the spread of COVID-19,” said Governor Newsom. “As we seek an effective therapeutic or vaccine, we are moving into a new chapter in the fight against the disease – focusing on protecting public health by lowering the risk of transmission and aggressively moving to protect vulnerable communities. The virus will still be present in our communities, and it’s as important as ever for Californians to take steps to protect themselves and their families. Wash your hands. Keep physical distance. If you have an underlying health condition that makes you more vulnerable to COVID-19, you should still stay home.”