New Walk-Up Testing Site Opens In San Fernando

SAN FERNANDO, CA — As coronavirus continues to surge in parts of the San Fernando Valley, Mayor Garcetti opened a new coronavirus testing "super site" at San Fernando Recreation Park this Tuesday. The walk-up site will be open from 8 a.m. through 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.

The site will be able to test up to 3,000 people per day, and will soon be added to the city's antigen testing pilot program. It's the 10th location in Los Angeles County where residents can receive a free coronavirus test, according to Garcetti's office.

San Fernando Park is about four miles from the Hansen Dam testing site, which is drive-thru only. Officials hope the walk-up nature of the new site will improve accessibility to those without a car.

"Testing remains an essential tool in stopping the spread of COVID- 19, tracking the virus, and saving lives -- and we will continue to deploy our vital testing resources where the data and science tell us they will do the most good," Garcetti said in a statement Friday.

"Our new San Fernando Park site will deliver critical support to a community hit hard by this pandemic, and ensure Valley residents know their status and take the necessary steps to protect themselves and those around them," he added.

According to recent data the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Pacoima, Arleta and San Fernando had the highest adjusted case rate in the county as of November 22. The city uses weekly case numbers, demand, positivity rates and testing site capability to determine where to open new sites.

The new location will expand the city's lab partnership with Curative, who manages testing for many of the city-operated sites.

"Curative is honored to be partnering with the city of Los Angeles for the San Fernando Park super site that has COVID-19 testing capabilities on a scale never before seen in this country, providing Angelenos with all the resources they need to protect themselves and others during this current surge of infections," said Fred Turner, CEO and co-founder of Curative.

Los Angeles can test over 38,000 people per day across testing sites. You can get more information on the city's testing programs here.