Free coronavirus testing is now available for anyone in SLO County, health officials say

May 13--San Luis Obispo County has expanded free COVID-19 testing to all county residents, with or without coronavirus symptoms.

"We've expanded our testing capacity and I encourage everyone who would like to be tested to take advantage of this opportunity, even if you do not have symptoms," county public health officer Dr. Penny Borenstein said in a news release Wednesday.

Testing is available with appointments at sites in Paso Robles and Grover Beach. The testing sites will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, the county said.

Testing takes only about five minutes, according to the county.

The testing is being offered to individuals at no cost. People who have health insurance will have their insurance companies charged, but no co-pay is required, according to the release.

For those who do not have health insurance, the state of California will pay for the test, the news release said.

Insurance information will be collected when people register for an appointment.

The two San Luis Obispo County testing sites opened May 4 and were previously limited to people with coronavirus symptoms and those with a higher risk of COVID-19. The requirements for obtaining a test have since been dropped.

Between the two sites, the county can test more than 260 people per day.

The increase in testing and test availability comes after the governor denied San Luis Obispo County's request to reopen with a county-made plan. The county was in part denied because it had not yet met the testing requirements.

According to the release, increased testing is a metric for being able to accelerate through Phase 2 of the state's reopening plan.

Across California, more testing sites have opened up in recent weeks. Testing helps health officials understand the virus better, according to the release.

To make an appointment at the testing sites -- located at the Paso Robles Veteran's Center, 240 Scott St., and Ramona Garden Park Center, 993 Ramona Ave. in Grover Beach -- call 888-634-1123 or go to emergencySLO.org/en/state-sponsored-testing-sites.

Testing is also available through private healthcare providers, urgent care centers and the County Public Health Lab.

Visit ReadySLO.org for the latest public health updates and recommendations.

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