No-cost flu testing now available at Covid-19 testing sites
Paso Robles community site located at train station
Paso Robles community site located at train station– Covid-19 community testing sites in San Luis Obispo County now offer combined rapid testing for Covid-19 and influenza for all patients who are experiencing symptoms.
Covid-only testing remains available for asymptomatic patients. There is no cost to the patient for either type of test at community sites.
“Finding out what virus is causing your symptoms—whether it’s Covid-19 or flu—is the first step in accessing the right treatment and guiding the steps you take to protect others from the virus,” said County Health Officer Dr. Penny Borenstein. “Providing this service at community sites also helps lift a weight from our local hospitals and doctor’s offices as they respond to an ongoing surge in respiratory viruses.”
Patients who test positive for Covid-19 may access Test to Treat services at the community site and take home a course of Paxlovid antiviral medication if indicated. Though Test to Treat services are not available for influenza, patients who test positive for flu may contact their regular healthcare provider to inform them of a positive test and ask about antiviral treatment for the flu.
All tests will be performed on-site by a clinician and will not be distributed for use at home. The test involves a swab of the lower part of the nose.
SLO County’s community testing sites include Grover Beach (1336 Ramona Avenue, Suite A), Paso Robles Train Station (800 Pine Street), and San Luis Obispo Veterans Hall (801 Grand Avenue). All sites are open 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. and are closed from 11 a.m.–12 noon and 4-5 p.m. The Grover Beach
site is closed on Fridays.
For those who have health insurance, information will be collected when registering for an appointment and no co-pay is required. There is no charge for those without insurance. The County of San Luis Obispo and the State of California are contracting with OptumServe to provide this service.
Appointments are plentiful and strongly recommended. Find details and make an appointment at slopublichealth.org/testing.
For updates on COVID-19 in SLO County, visit slopublichealth.org/COVID19. Public health phone support is available at (805) 781-5500 Monday – Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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