Public Health Urges Residents to Avoid Emergency Departments for COVID-19 Testing or Minor Health Concerns
Due to markedly increasing COVID-19 cases and the resulting strain on the local health care system, Ventura County Public Health is reminding residents to avoid visiting the emergency room unless they need emergency medical care. Local hospitals are experiencing an increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations, as well as critical staff shortages due to the coronavirus, and are preserving their resources for patients who are seriously ill.
Ventura County Health Officer Dr. Robert Levin would like to remind residents that they should not be visiting the emergency department solely to get a COVID-19 test or for health matters that could be resolved through their primary care physician. “Emergency room visits should be reserved for those patients who have are feeling severely ill – for example, those who are short of breath – or who have serious concerns about their health and who require immediate emergency care”, said Levin. Ventura County residents who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, have mild illness or have not been exposed to someone who tested positive, should go to one of the many testing locations available in the county.
The County is working to increase access to testing and is opening two no cost COVID-19 PCR testing sites on January 18, 2022.
Address 1: Ventura County HSA Building, 1400 Vanguard Drive, Oxnard CA 93033
Address 2: Moorpark College, 7075 Campus Road, Moorpark, CA 93021
Appointments are requested for testing.
Hours: The sites will be open from 12-5 pm on January 18.
Beginning January 19 the sites will operate from 10 am to 7 pm Tuesday through Sunday.
*The appointment website will be available for appointments this evening
Testing at county sites is free and results are to be provided in less than 48 hours.
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