Getting tested for Covid-19 just got a little easier.
Santa Clara County today announced a new website—www.sccfreetest.org—that lets you schedule a test up to a week ahead of time at certain sites. Appointments for the drive-thru testing at the county fairgrounds can be made five days in advance.
County health officials also issued a reminder for those with healthcare coverage, saying private providers such as Kaiser, Sutter-Palo Alto Medical Foundation and HCA must offer free testing to members who:
- Have Covid-19 symptoms.
- Have had close contact with a person who tested positive for Covid-19.
- Have been referred by the county for testing.
- Are at higher risk of exposure to Covid-19 because they work in frontline settings, including teachers, healthcare workers, grocery store clerks and those working in ag or food manufacturing.
For more information on testing rights, check out the county FAQ page.
“We are seeing gains through our efforts to keep the community healthy, but with that comes a continued responsibility for individuals to get tested,” county Testing Officer Dr. Marty Fenstersheib said in a news release today. “Whether it’s done through healthcare providers or County sites run by Valley Medical Center, continued diligence through testing is imperative to suppress the virus.”
This week, appointment-only testing will be conducted at rotating sites in Milpitas, Morgan Hill, Santa Clara, Los Gatos and Palo Alto. Pop-up, no-appointment testing continues to be conducted in San Jose and Gilroy. Results for all sites typically come through via email about a day or two after testing.
Appointment-Based Testing Sites Available This Week
San Jose
Santa Clara County Fairgrounds Parking Lot A (across from the blue arch). Drive-thru, bike, and walk-up appointments. Across the street from the fairgrounds main entrance, 344 Tully Road. Appointments available from noon to 6:30pm Tuesday through Friday and 9am to 3pm on Saturday.
Milpitas
Sports Center, 1325 E. Calaveras Blvd. By appointment only, 9:30am to 4pm Monday.
Morgan Hill
Morgan Hill Council Chamber Building, 17555 Peak Ave. By appointment only from 9:30am to 4pm on Tuesday.
Santa Clara
Santa Clara Central Park Library, 2635 Homestead Road. By appointment only from 9:30am to 4pm on Wednesday.
Los Gatos
Adult Rec Center, 208 E. Main St. By appointment from 9:30am to 4pm Thursday.
Palo Alto
Art Center auditorium, 1313 Newell Road. By appointment from 9:30am to 4pm Friday.
No-Appointment-Needed Pop-Up Testing Sites—Only for Those with Symptoms
San Jose
William C. Overfelt High School gymnasium, 1835 Cunningham Ave. From 11am to 5pm on Tuesday through Friday.
Gilroy
South County Annex (formerly Del Buono Elementary), 9300 Wren Ave. From 11am to 5pm Tuesday through Friday.
County test sites offer the service at no cost and regardless of a person’s immigration status. No doctor’s note is required.
People with insurance may be asked to provide their coverage information so that payment from the provider can be collected. Patients won’t get charged any co-pay.
County officials urge people with symptoms of Covid-19 to take advantage of the drive-thru sites to avoid spreading the virus to other people.
The tests are viral detection tests, which diagnose a person who currently has the infection. Click here to read more about the difference between viral and serology tests.
