Kern County's Latino COVID-19 Task Force to host three new free testing sites

The Kern County Latino COVID-19 Task Force, Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Kern County Public Health is announcing additional FREE COVID-19 testing sites as it continues to work toward increasing Kern County’s testing numbers and reaching the county’s outlying communities.

Four of the seven new sites announced will be a partnership with Dignity Health which will offer a limited number of flu vaccines to people via a drive-thru clinic.

“Kern County’s testing positive rate meets the Orange Tier; however, our countywide adjusted case rate and health equity quartile testing positivity rate still fall within the Red Tier metrics,” said Jay Tamsi co-founder of the Kern County Latino COVID-19 Task Force. “We encourage our community to increase COVID testing, it’s very important to slow the transmission of this pandemic in our community by identifying those who test positive and can self-isolate. As the holiday season approaches, it’s important to not get comfortable and ignore all the work our community has accomplished together in flattening the curve and reopening our economy,” Tamsi said.

Standard COVID Testing Sites will be as follows:

When: Saturday, November 7 at 9 a.m.

Where: Vallarta Supermarkets, 820 Main St., Delano.

When: Sunday, November 8 at 9 a.m.

Where: Vallarta Supermarkets, 1840 Cecil Ave., Delano.

Dignity Health Drive-Thru Free Flu Vaccine Clinic in partnership with the Kern County Latino Task Force Free COVID Testing will be as follows:

When: Monday, November 9 from 1 to 4 p.m.

Where: Bear Mountain Recreation Center (parking lot), 10300 San Diego St., Lamont.

When: Tuesday, November 10 from 1 to 4 p.m.

Where: Di Giorgio Park (corner of Haven Dr. & S. Hill St.), Arvin.

When: Thursday, November 12 from 1 to 4 p.m.

Where: Aquatic Center (parking lot), 269 Poso Ave., Shafter.

Walk-ins are welcomed and encouraged as there are no pre-registration requirements. The collaboration asks people to please wear a mask and social distance while on site.