Testing Locations Week of May 4, 2020
Monday through Friday – Arrowhead Regional Medical Center
400 N. Pepper Ave., Colton
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Appointment ONLY, call 1-855-422-8029
Monday through Friday – SAC Health Systems (IEHP Members only)
250 South G Street, San Bernardino
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Appointment ONLY, call (909) 771-2911
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday – MCH Rural Health Clinic
29099 Hospital Road, Lake Arrowhead
8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Appointment ONLY, call (909) 336-9715
Monday, May 4 – Toyota Arena
4000 Ontario Center, Ontario
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Appointment ONLY, all appointments filled
Tuesday, May 5 – Needles Administration Building
1111 Bailey Ave., Needles
9:00 a.m. to 12 Noon Appointment ONLY, at
http://sbcovid19.com/community-drive-through-events/
Wednesday, May 6 – Barstow Sports Park
2800 Mayor Katy Pkwy., Barstow
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Appointment ONLY, at
http://sbcovid19.com/community-drive-through-events/
Wednesday, May 6 and Thursday, May 7 SAC Health Systems (IEHP Members)
12353 Mariposa Road., Victorville.
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Appointment ONLY, call (909) 771-2911
County Public Health is also conducting testing at select nursing facilities for at-risk seniors living at those facilities. At all testing locations, people age 65 and older as well as healthcare or public safety workers can get tested even if they are not experiencing any symptoms. This is in addition to residents who are experiencing at least one COVID-19 symptom (fever, cough, or shortness of breath).
 County Plans for a Phased Reopening
Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman announced today that a countywide COVID-19 Recovery Coalition will present a plan for a phased reopening at next week’s Board of Supervisor meeting.
“Reopening our economy in the county is a priority for us. We know people are feeling anxious over this and are showing their concerns in different ways, including demonstrations,” said Chairman Hagman. “We completely understand the frustration and all of us want to get our economy up and running safely as soon as we can. This week, Governor Newsom indicated California was just weeks, not months, away from beginning to re-open the state’s economy. For us, that means a phased opening in the upcoming weeks.”
Chairman Hagman also announced that the county is committing up to $30 million in Federal COVID-19 funding to support businesses throughout the county through a Small Business Rapid Recovery Program.
The County’s Recovery Coalition team is leading the effort to create this phased plan with weigh-in from local medical experts, business owners, economic specialists, the faith community and more to determine what’s best for our county. The intent is to remain pragmatic about reopening strategies and continue what essential businesses have already been doing such as floor markings to ensure proper spacing, the use of face coverings, and limiting the number of people in any given business at one time.
The first phase of gradual re-openings will include lower-risk business sectors, and we will be sharing details here in this Daily Update as they become known. It’s important to note that reopening – and even more important, keeping businesses open -- is dependent on all of us doing our part. That means continuing to use face coverings, washing your hands often, and maintaining physical distancing.
 County Residents Urged to Not Avoid Hospitals, Keep Doctor Visits
Like others around the nation, many San Bernardino County residents have delayed important doctor visits and even surgeries because of state-mandated restrictions or their own fears of contracting COVID-19. County health officials say it is now time to consider scheduling such appointments.
Medical experts say it is especially important for parents with young children to avoid skipping routine medical examinations and critical vaccinations.
On April 22, Gov. Newsom relaxed his stay-at-home order to allow hospitals and doctors to resume performing elective surgeries, which had previously been suspended due to COVID-19 concerns. Such surgeries often address serious conditions such as kidney stones or cancer treatments, and further delaying them could have serious medical consequences.
“It is important that those citizens with pressing health care needs get the help they need at their local health care facilities,” said Dr. Troy Pennington, emergency room physician at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. “Your health is essential, even during a pandemic. Our hospitals are safe and prepared to handle your medical needs. Postponing or neglecting your health care can have short and long-term detrimental effects on your health.”
Begin by contacting your doctor. Our County physicians appreciate their patients’ concerns regarding infection, and many offices are taking steps to minimize risks of contracting the virus — ranging from moving patients immediately into private rooms to asking them to wait in their cars until their doctor is ready to see them.
It is particularly important for parents to maintain their children’s routine medical visits. Pediatricians across the U.S. are seeing a steep drop in the number of children coming in for appointments, and they argue that it’s essential they not miss crucial vaccination shots. Diseases like measles actually can pose greater risks to young children than the coronavirus, and children who fail to get vaccinated can later spread the disease to others.
Arrowhead Regional Medical Center Now Conducting Serology Testing
The County is now performing serology testing at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC). Serology testing is used to detect the presence of antibodies in a person’s blood serum (or other tissues), which is evidence that the individual might have been previously infected with a coronavirus. Testing positive for the virus antibody does not mean you have immunity to COVID-19.
While serology tests do not determine if someone is currently infected with the coronavirus, they can help epidemiologists better understand how the coronavirus is spreading among different populations. It is important data in our collective fight against the pandemic.
Serology tests will be taken at the same time for those being tested for COVID-19, and an individual will be asked for permission to take the test, which involves taking a finger prick blood sample. Appointments cannot be made for serology testing. At this time, serology testing is only being conducted at ARMC, but it is expected be rolled out to Public Heath testing locations as soon as next week.
County CEO Extends Limitations on Evictions to May 31
Gary McBride, the County’s chief executive officer, has issued a resolution extending the moratorium on residential and commercial evictions until May 31, 2020. Shortly after declaring a state of emergency, Gov. Newsom issued an executive order empowering local governments to impose limitations on residential evictions and foreclosures.
Evictions typically occur when rents or mortgages go unpaid, and such delinquencies have risen dramatically as residents lose income due to business closures, lost wages, and layoffs. The moratorium allows renters and mortgage holders to delay payment due to financial hardship — though it does not relieve them of the obligation to pay rent or restrict a landlord’s ability to (eventually) collect rent.
“These businesses and individuals are not responsible for their sudden financial distress, which is a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said McBride. “At this time the virus remains a threat, and continuing efforts to control its spread remain crucial to public health and safety. So it will be a while before our economy is back to normal and people are able to meet their financial obligations in a timely fashion.”
In addition, the County’s Housing Authority is extending deadlines for housing assistance recipients or applicants to submit records or documents related to their eligibility for programs.
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