By County News Center
San Diego, CA–Two state COVID-19 testing and treatment sites in San Diego County are scheduled to close in the next two weeks, and the state plans to close the remaining four here by Feb. 25 because of declining demand.
However, County public health officials said there are still plenty of places and options for San Diegans to get testing and treatment.
The state-supported testing/treatment site in Escondido is scheduled to close this week and the one in El Cajon is scheduled to close the following week, both because so few people are going to them for tests. The state closed its National City testing site last week for the same reasons. San Diegans can still get tested at three County-contracted sites, local pharmacies, and their healthcare providers, as well as at the four remaining local state sites until they close on Feb. 25.
People can also get free COVID-19 home tests at the County’s six Public Health Centers, and many local libraries—check with your library to see if they have them—and from the federal government by mail.
“We want all San Diegans to know that there are lots of options to get tests, be tested, get treatment, and get vaccinated, no matter where you are in the county,” said County Public Health Officer Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H. “If you feel symptoms and want to get tested for COVID-19 and find treatment, if you are positive, or if you just want to have COVID-19 home tests available as a precaution, access is available and you have options.”
COVID-19 cases decreased slightly this week. However, health officials are still monitoring wastewater testing and say they are seeing increasing levels of the virus, which may be a sign of a possible surge in cases. Flu cases and Respiratory Syncytial Virus infections both continue to decline.
County health officials continue to urge people to get vaccinated and boosted if they haven’t already to protect themselves. COVID-19 vaccines, including bivalent boosters, and flu vaccines are widely available at local medical providers and pharmacies. The County continues to offer vaccinations throughout the region. Check online for the days and hours sites will be open.
