COVID-19 Testing: Where to Get It
The outbreak of COVID-19 respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus was first detected in China late last year. Updated information from the CDC and other authorities, in addition to the latest guidance and reminders of how residents can protect themselves, will be provided in this column.
What Is It?
The World Health Organization describes the novel coronavirus as a member of “a large family of viruses” that cause everything from the common cold to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). COVID-19 is the disease caused by the coronavirus. For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.
For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death. The vast majority of people recover. State and local officials have put social distancing policies in place to slow the spread of the virus. Seal Beach has 127 reported cases as of presstime, according to the Orange County Health Care Agency.
OC Health Care Agency Testing Information
Orange County residents can go to ochealthinfo.com/covidtest or call the HCA’s Health Referral Line at 1(800) 564-8448 to make an appointment at a nearby test site. Next day or, in some cases, same day appointments are available.
In Orange County, testing priority is given to people with symptoms as well as asymptomatic individuals who are health care workers, first responders, social service employees, or those who are a may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.
COVID-19 Testing at Home
If you’re interested in taking a free COVID-19 test in your home in Leisure World by licensed, trained lab personnel, contact Reddy Urgent Care in Huntington Beach by email at Reddyurgentcare@gmail mail.com, attention: Helen and Minerva, who will send you information. Required is a copy of your ID card and insurance information, and they will schedule an appointment at your home.
Insurance will be billed if it covers the test; if not, there is no charge. Usha Rani K. Reddy, M.D., is a board-certified emergency room physician working with Long Beach Emergency Medical Group. His group provides physician services at St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach and Little Company of Mary Medical Center in San Pedro.
He also owns and runs three urgent care centers that provide medical services comparable to an emergency room visit. Currently COVID-19 testing and blood draws for the anti-body test are being done at all the centers; for general information, visit reddyuc.com.
Reddy Urgent Care Centers are located at 123 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, 90802, (562) 726-1383; 4237 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, 90807, (562) 336-1656; 7772 Warner Ave., Suite 103, Huntington Beach, 92647; (714) 916-0241.
Thank you to LWer Donna Sprow for providing this information.
CVS on PCH has COVID-19 Testing
CVS, 921 Pacific Coast Highway, Seal Beach, now offers limited testing for the COVID-19 virus.
Go online and schedule an appointment time. At the drive through, you will be given a self test to take and then return it to a kiosk outside the store.
People must follow online instructions, register, schedule a time for the drive through and then follow instructions for the self test.
Limited appointments are available to patients who qualify. Patients being tested are required to stay in their vehicles and surfaces are sanitized after each visit.
To learn more, visit https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing.
