Currently, Rite-Aid stores offer free, drive-through, self-swab testing available, with reservations online. See below.
Testing is available at Clinica Sierra Vista facilities, such as the Community Health Clinic in Lebec, but is listed as “not free,” and charged on a sliding scale, by appointment to clinic patients. [See more about the CSV Community Health Clinic in Lebec below, with details].
FREE TESTING IN KERN COUNTY ARE LISTED FIRST IN THIS COLLECTION OF OPTIONS BELOW
Free Testing Offered
Frazier Park, CA (Monday, Jan. 4, 2021 at 4 a.m.) — It was predicted that we would see a surge in new covid cases after the Christmas and New Year holidays. In the Frazier Mountain Communities that appears to be exactly what has happened. By the end of Thanksgiving, about 200 covid-positive cases had been reported locally in the Mountain Communities . Now, following Christmas, additional new cases are popping up. Help protect yourself and the people around you by getting tested. Free Covid-19 testing is available in Kern County, mainly in the Bakersfield area, about 30 to 40 miles away.
This week, “first come, first served” free testing sites are coordinated by Adventist Health and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Kern County with the help of volunteers. No reservation is needed, and paperwork is limited. Everyone is welcome to come to be tested. See locations below.
Rite-Aid stores are also making free, drive-through, self-swab testing available, with reservations online. See below.
Testing is available at Clinica Sierra Vista facilities, such as the Community Health Clinic in Lebec, but is listed as “not free,” and charged on a sliding scale, by appointment to clinic patients. [See more about the CSV Community Health Clinic in Lebec below, with details].
FREE TESTING IN KERN COUNTY ARE LISTED FIRST IN THIS COLLECTION OF OPTIONS BELOW
“No requirements, just step in line,” The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Adventist Health in Bakersfield are working together with nursing student volunteers to extend the service. The student nurses are staffing phones to help get out the word.
Special Testing free sites this week:
- WHEN: Tuesday, January 5 (10 A.M. to 3 P.M.)*
WHERE: Williams Elementary School, 1201 Williams Street, Bakersfield, CA 93305 - WHEN: Wednesday, January 6 (10 A.M. to 3 P.M.)*
WHERE: Mojave East Park, 15580 O Street, Mojave, CA 93501 - WHEN: Thursday, January 7 (10 A.M. to 3 P.M.)*
WHERE: Jefferson Elementary School, 816 Lincoln Street, Bakersfield, CA 93305 - WHEN: Friday, January 8 (10 A.M. to 3 P.M.)*
WHERE: Owens Intermediate Families, 815 Eureka Street, Bakersfield, CA 93305 - WHEN: Saturday, January 9 (10 A.M. to 3.P.M.)*
WHERE: Lake Isabella Park, 5000 Lake Isabella Blvd., Lake Isabella, CA 93240
*Free face masks will be given to individuals, courtesy of Adventist Health Bakersfield.
Walk-ins are welcomed and encouraged . There are no pre-registration requirements. The collaboration asks people to please wear a mask and observe social distance protocols while on-site.
II. Rite Aid Stores’ free, drive through, self-swab tests
Tests through Rite Aid require appointments, though some walk-ins may be taken. Another option is being coordinated by the Kern County Latino COVID-19 Task Force. Scroll down to see two locations.
Rite Aid in Bakersfield at 8225 Panama Lane (off of 99) offers FREE TESTING
• Monday through Friday 9 am. to 9 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Appointments are required
• Drive-through service and a self-swab system is used. There is a two- to seven-day wait for results.
• Call 661.396.0108 for details; sign in online by clicking here.
•Bring proof of ID
•Minors 13-17 are allowed, with parent or guardian
•No insurance is required (but they will bill insurance if you have it and copay may be required if you use insurance).
Rite Aid in Lamont offers free testing at 8008 Panama Lane (Lamont 93241)
• Monday through Friday 9 am. to 9 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Appointments are required
• Drive-through service and a self-swab system is used. There is a two- to seven-day wait for results.
• Call 661.845.6917 for details; sign in online by clicking here.
•No insurance is required (but they will bill insurance if you have it and copay may be required if you use insurance).
III. Clinica Sierra Vista’s Community Health Clinic in Lebec is NOT FREE.
The clinic (704 Lebec Road, Lebec 93243) is open Monday through Friday and the first Saturday of the month, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but does not offer free testing. Call 661-248-5250 for a reservation for insurance-covered testing (on a sliding scale, based on income). “If you are not a patient of ours, we operate as if you are a new patient to the doctor’s office and it costs $164 to get in for a test,” we were told. On the bright side, if you are already a patient of the clinic, you can call to arrange a test. “Results take 5-10 days,” we were told, but Clinica’s Arvin and Lamont locations have “quick testing” for speedy turnaround of results, that can return in less thanIII. Clinica Sierra Vista’s Community Health Clinic in Lebec is NOT FREE.
The clinic (704 Lebec Road, Lebec 93243) is open Monday through Friday and the first Saturday of the month, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but does not offer free testing. Call 661-248-5250 for a reservation for insurance-covered testing (on a sliding scale, based on income). “If you are not a patient of ours, we operate as if you are a new patient to the doctor’s office and it costs $164 to get in for a test,” we were told. On the bright side, if you are already a patient of the clinic, you can call to arrange a test. “Results take 5-10 days,” we were told, but Clinica’s Arvin and Lamont locations have “quick testing” for speedy turnaround of results, that can return in less than a half
— Patric Hedlund, The Mountain Enterprise
This is part of the January 8, 2021 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.
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