New coronavirus test sites open in Desert Hot Springs and Mecca

Two new coronavirus test sites are opening in the valley on Friday: one in Desert Hot Springs and one in Mecca.

Riverside County opened a total of eight new testing sites this week, increasing testing capacity by an additional 1,000 people per day.

The two new valley locations were originally supposed to open on Wednesday May 6, but experienced some delays. County officials confirmed both sites will be ready to open Friday May 8.

The following new locations will be open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. by appointment only:

• Mecca Boys and Girls Club
  91391 66th Ave
  Mecca, Ca
• Moses Schaffer Community Center
  21565 Steele Peak
  Perris, CA 92570
• Mead Valley Community Center
  21091 Rider St.
  Perris, CA 92570
• Jurupa Valley Fleet Center 
  5293 Mission Boulevard
  Riverside, CA 92509
• Nellie Weaver Hall
  3737 Crestview
  Norco, CA 92860

The following locations will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.:

• Lozano Community Center
  12-800 West Arroyo
  Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240
• Noble Creek Community Center
  390 W. Oak Valley Parkway
  Beaumont, CA 92223
• Valle Vista Community Center
  43935 E. Acacia Ave.
  Hemet, CA 92544

This is all in addition to the other four testing sites operated by Riverside County in Perris, Indio, Riverside and Lake Elsinore.

The new sites are being operated by OptumServe, a firm hired by the state to conduct testing, and each location can process up to 132 people daily.

Testing is free and those wanting to be tested can be asymptomatic, but must have an appointment.

"One of our key initiatives is to test as many people as possible and these new sites, combined with the testing we have already been able to complete through our county-run locations, will provide a good measure of what is happening with the spread of coronavirus," said Kim Saruwatari, director of Riverside University Health System - Public Health.

Appointments can be made online by going to https://lhi.care/covidtesting or those without internet access can call 888-634-1123.

Testing is available for everyone, regardless of insurance or immigration status, and is no cost to the resident.

"Testing is a top priority of Riverside County and the State of California, and I am pleased with this incredible partnership with the state to expand testing," said Riverside County Board Chair and Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez. "I am particularly glad we will have testing sites in Desert Hot Springs and Mecca, two communities with high need and essential workers on the front lines. Testing is for everyone, regardless of immigration status, and it is free. I encourage everyone to make an appointment, get tested and help our county and state continue to make progress on this crucial aspect of our coronavirus efforts."