Category Archives: Testing

Coronavirus, Covid 19, Solano County CA, Testing

Coronavirus: 30 show up as Solano County begins COVID-19 testing at Fairgrounds

Testing site is for first responders, healthcare, essential service workers

Vallejo Times Herald, by Thomas Gase, April 8, 2020
Workers with the Solano Public Health Office collect samples for testing during the county’s first drive-thru testing facility for first responders and essential job employees at the Solano County Fairgrounds on Wednesday in Vallejo. (Chris Riley/ Times-Herald)

The mood was quiet, eerie and extremely cautious at the Solano County Fairgrounds on Wednesday at a drive-through coronavirus testing site made available to first responders, health care and essential workers who live or work in Solano County.

Approximately 30 people showed up by appointment only on the first day at the testing site, organized by the Solano County Health and & Social Services-Public Health division.

The testing is prioritized for those working on the front lines during the pandemic crisis, and to help ensure that the health care system continues to have the capacity to serve the community.

Public Health Administrator, Health and Social Services Department Jayleen Richards,  said that although there were only 10 people at the 9 a.m. to noon shift, they had 20 more who signed up for the 1 to 4 p.m. shift on Wednesday. The site remains open on Thursday and Friday, with only a morning shift available on Friday. The site will run again next week from Tuesday through Friday.

“We’ve had a lot of firefighters and some hospital workers show up today,” Richards said. “Not many essential workers have shown up so far. We’re thinking we’ve had enough signups for tomorrow that we’ll reach our maximum, which is 40 a day.”

Those patients showing from 2 to 3 p.m. declined to talk with the Times-Herald about the process, deciding instead to remain anonymous.

Workers with the Solano County Public Health Office prepare biohazard bags to collect samples for testing during the county’s first drive-thru testing facility for first responders and essential job employees on Wednesday in Vallejo. (Chris Riley/ Times-Herald)

Richards said that after making an appointment by calling (707) 784-8655, the people with an appointment drive up for a process that takes about five to 10 minutes, depending on how many other cars are in front of them. The site is filled with health officials wearing masks and plenty of parking cones, the tall ones symbolizing a hot zone.

“For the most part the people who come up to get tested are pretty calm,” Solano County Public Health employee Elizabeth Gallardo said. “We just verify their appointment here at the front. They don’t ask too many questions, except when they will get results.”

The patients must show signs of either fever, cough, chills or body aches.

Benicia CA, Coronavirus, Covid 19, Solano County CA, Testing

Drive-Through Coronavirus Testing starts today for some in Solano County

Update on Drive-Through Testing in Solano County

The Solano County drive-thru COVID-19 testing site is now expanding appointments to include essential employees who are currently ill and whose symptoms are consistent with COVID-19 (including fever, cough, chills, and body aches). Individuals must also live and/or work in Solano County. Testing is not available for those who do not have COVID-19 symptoms at this time.

Essential employees include, but are not limited to, employees in the following settings:

  • Grocery stores, food banks, restaurants, and food delivery
  • Gas stations and auto-repair facilities
  • Transportation providers
  • Childcare facilities
  • Water, sewer, solid waste, gas, and electrical operations
  • Mailing and shipping services
  • Banks
  • Hardware stores, warehouses, and distribution centers
  • Construction
  • Laundry service
  • Telecommunications, internet, and media services

Testing is by appointment only and a valid ID or verification of ID is needed. You can call 707.784.8655 to make an appointment, please do not leave a message. The phone line is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. until all appointment slots are filled. There is no cost for this testing. Testing consists of a self-administered nasal swab, and results can be expected in 1-3 days.

This testing site also continues to remain open to healthcare workers and first responders who are ill (by appointment only).

Coronavirus, Covid 19, Fairfield CA, Solano County CA, Testing, Vacaville CA, Vallejo CA

Solano County to test first responders and medical personnel this week – FEMA delivers 2500 test kits

Solano County says 88 have COVID-19; testing to begin for first responders on Wednesday

Vallejo Times-Herald, by John Glidden, April 6, 2020

Solano County reported 15 new COVID-19 infections on Monday, bringing the county’s total number of Novel Coronavirus cases to 88.

Officials began posting data on the number of cases in each Solano County city. Officials had originally resisted providing that information, arguing it violated the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

The city of Vallejo has the most COVID-19 cases at 28, closely followed by Fairfield’s 26. Vacaville has 14 reported infections, while the cities of Benicia, Dixon, Rio Vista, Suisun City, and unincorporated areas of the county all had less than 10 cases, according to the county.

Office of Emergency Services Manager Don Ryan said by phone Monday that the county will begin testing first responders and medical personnel at the Solano County Fairgrounds on Wednesday.

He stressed that the testing is not open to the general public, noting that tests for the public may begin next week, depending on supplies and the availability of personnel.

Ryan said the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provided the county with about 2,500 testing kits. The goal is test the medical personnel and first responders through Friday, he said.

“Of course, since they interact with the public so much, we want to make sure they are not spreading it,” he said.

Ryan said he hopes to test about 250 each day.

Vallejo Mayor Bob Sampayan said by phone on Monday said the testing was “sorely needed.”

“I’m thankful they are doing this,” he added.

County officials reported last week that an 85-year-old person was the first confirmed death associated with COVID-19.

They said the individual had recently traveled outside the country and had multiple severe underlying health conditions.

A bulk of the total cases, 64, are considered “non-severe,” according to the county. For this designation, there are 51 cases for individuals between the ages of 19 and 64, and 13 for persons 65 and older.