As Riverside County continues to expand its coronavirus testing capabilities, health officials have formed a “mobile testing team” made up of nurses, emergency medical technicians, and paramedics to serve targeted populations or communities.
“The mobile testing team gives us the flexibility to complete testing at different locations where there is a targeted need, such as hard-to-reach communities,” said Kim Saruwatari, director of Riverside County Public Health. Once the need is served, then we can quickly move them to the next location.”
Recently, the mobile team set up a one-day testing site at the Ben Clark Training Center, Idyllwild Library in the San Jacinto Mountains and screened about 162 residents. Other future locations include the Morongo Casino, Edgemont Women’s Club in Moreno Valley, and the foothill community of Anza.
“According to data, the pandemic is impacting vulnerable communities and people of color the most. Whether that be seniors in skilled nursing facilities, agricultural workers in the fields, or the homeless in encampments, we need to do all we can to meet the moment and suppress the pandemic,” said Chair V. Manuel Perez, Fourth District Supervisor. “Expanding sites and deploying mobile testing is a responsible and creative way to flatten the curve.”
For a complete list of all testing locations and instructions on how to make an appointment, visit www.rivcoph.org/coronavirus/testing.
