Fremont’s free drive-through COVID-19 testing center examined 715 people in its first week of operation, and 37 of those showed positive results for the disease, according to the city.
Of those tested, almost half — 348 people — were “essential service workers, primarily comprised of first responders and healthcare personnel,” the city said in a statement.
Though 940 people showed up to be tested at the center, which opened on April 3, 225 of those were turned away because they did not meet the testing criteria.
While the city’s drive-through testing center at 7200 Stevenson Blvd. requires people seeking a test to be in a car, the city late last week added limited walk-up testing for people who cannot access the drive-through testing center.
The walk-up testing is by appointment, and is being done in partnership with the Tri-City Health Center, a local clinic at 39500 Liberty St. in Fremont.
Those interested in scheduling a walk-up appointment can call the Tri-City Health Center’s appointment line at 510-252-6808.
“Walk-up appointments at the Tri-City Health Center are available Monday through Friday on a first come, first served basis, from 1 p.m. until all afternoon appointment slots have been filled,” the city said.
The walk-up COVID-19 testing will be administered by one Fremont Fire Department paramedic and one emergency medical technician.
“To receive a COVID-19 test at either location, an individual will be screened as part of a two-part testing process and must have a fever (or have had a fever) and be symptomatic for COVID-19,” the city said.
Other symptoms of COVID-19 include cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, or other respiratory symptoms.
At either site, a recommendation from a doctor is not required. The tests are free and available to anyone regardless of where they live or their immigration status, the city said.
An information call-in line was created to provide COVID-19 testing updates and may be reached at 510-494-4292.
“First responders and healthcare workers who are symptomatic for COVID-19 and have (or have had) a fever can schedule a test in advance by calling 510-789-7231,” the city said.
Fremont’s testing center was established a little less than two weeks after Hayward pioneered a similar model, adding to a short but growing list of places in the Bay Area where governments are teaming up with commercial companies to offer expanded testing options to people unable to get tested through a health care provider.
Similar to Hayward, Fremont’s city manager signed off on spending nearly $500,000 of city money to pay for the testing and the operation of the center for about three weeks, and Fire Department Chief Curtis Jacobson said the city is expecting to be reimbursed through state and federal disaster relief funds.