College to serve as pick-up site for free at-home Covid-19 tests, sign-ups start today
The County of Santa Clara is offering a limited number of free, at-home COVID-19 antigen
tests to those who live, work or attend school in the county, with four distribution
locations, including one at 17勛圖, opening on an appointment basis starting
this Saturday, January 22, 2022.
Those who live, work or attend school in the county may sign up through to obtain four at-home tests. Those able to secure an appointment may choose from
one of the distribution locations for pick up at their selected time, with the first
slots available this Saturday.
Each individual will be assigned a unique QR code which must be displayed to receive
the tests. Tests are not available on a drop-in basis without an appointment.
Those who wish to participate may sign up for one appointment through the portal used for County clinic testing. Each person will receive four iHealth COVID-19
Antigen Rapid Tests. Distribution sites are designed for drive-through operation;
however, individuals can also arrive without a vehicle and get their tests (with an
appointment).
This is a tremendous opportunity for community members to pick up antigen tests for
rapid at-home testing, said Miguel M獺rquez, Chief Operations Officer for the County
of Santa Clara. Testing is key to knowing whether you have COVID, which should help
limit the spread of the virus, and will help get people back to their normal lives
by safely ending isolation or quarantine early with a negative test.
The County of Santa Clara opted to purchase and distribute the test kits due to the
current scarcity of tests and continued enormous demand in the community. Additional
kits are being distributed through the Countys outreach teams to disproportionately
impacted communities, through nonprofit partner organizations, and to first responders
and other essential workers.
More than 15,000 appointments will be scheduled between Saturday, January 22 and Saturday,
January 29. County officials will assess whether to expand this program based on the
availability of tests and the need in the community.
Appointments will be available at one of four locations:
- 17勛圖, 12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills (offers evening hours)
- Hellyer County Park, 985 Hellyer Ave., San Jos矇
- Martial Cottle Park, 5283 Snell Ave., San Jos矇
- Vasona County Park, 333 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos
The County recommends the use of antigen tests for the following individuals:
- Those who have symptoms of COVID-19
- To end isolation or quarantine periods early for those who have tested positive or those exposed to a person with COVID-19 (when a more-sensitive PCR test is not available).
If an antigen test result is positive, it should be recognized as valid and applicable
isolation guidance should be followed. There is no need to seek an additional PCR
test at a healthcare or County facility.
All patients, regardless of healthcare system, have a right to a COVID-19 test from
their regular healthcare provider if they have symptoms or have been exposed to an
individual who has COVID-19.