LA County offers COVID-19 home testing as part of pilot program



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With coronavirus cases soaring, some Los Angeles County residents will now be able to self-test for infection at home.

As part of a newly launched county program, residents can receive free test kits in the mail if they show symptoms of COVID-19, have recently been in close contact with a confirmed or suspected case, or are ‘they are elderly or have a disability and cannot go. at an in-person testing site following potential exposure.

“We are doing everything we can to make sure that the tests are accessible to everyone,” said Dr Clemens Hong, who is overseeing local testing for COVID-19 under the leadership of the county health services department on Friday. “It allows us to reach even more people – and they don’t have to risk exposing others by leaving their homes. This is an important step in the fight against the virus in LA County. “

Residents who wish to participate can verify their eligibility and place orders with Fulgent Genetics, the county’s program partner.

Those who qualify will receive a collection kit in their homes within two days, according to county officials. Residents will then need to collect their sample and drop it off in a FedEx drop box the same day.

Individuals should receive their results by email within two days.

The pilot home testing program runs until Jan. 15 and is designed “to reduce the spread of COVID-19 throughout the holiday season,” according to Dr Christina Ghaly, county health services director.

“Home testing allows us to reach even more people, and especially people who have difficulty … accessing these sites in person and who could be at risk of infecting others if they are not. able to easily access the tests, “she said in a briefing earlier this week.

For more information on the home testing program or to make an in-person appointment, visit covid19.lacounty.gov/testing.

The program will go live at the same time that LA County is seeing a record number of new coronavirus cases and hospitalizations.

The county set records for both Thursday – reporting a daily record of 7,713 new cases and 2,668 patients with one confirmed case in its hospitals, according to data compiled by The Times.

Overall, the county has recorded more than 422,000 cases during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly 7,800 residents have died from the disease.

Public health director Barbara Ferrer said the county was now “at a dangerous point where the spike in cases and hospitalizations is not slowing down”.

Residents of the county are urged to stay in their homes as much as possible over the next few weeks. When you venture out, officials say it’s essential to take precautions like wearing a mask, keeping your physical distance from those you don’t live with, and washing your hands regularly.

“I cannot stress this enough: everyone must take personal measures to protect themselves and others,” Ferrer said in a statement Thursday. “We cannot afford to miss the recommended safety measures because they have lethal consequences.”



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