 County Overcomes Testing Supply Shortage with New Supplier
All residents urged to get tested at convenient sites using easy-to-use nasal swabs
Responding to a recent statewide shortage in COVID-19 testing materials, San Bernardino County has contracted with a new supplier to secure an adequate supply of test equipment and is now encouraging all County residents to get tested.
“Now that our testing capacity has expanded and stabilized, we hope that every resident, regardless of whether they have experienced any symptoms, will make an appointment to get tested,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman. “Testing is free, painless, takes only a few minutes, and can be obtained without a doctor’s prescription.”
The County is now offering testing with an appointment at 10 locations, using an easy-to-administer nasal self-swab. Results can also be expected in no more than 5 days, but usually within 72 hours. There is no cost to take the test, however County residents will be asked to enter insurance information when setting an appointment in order to assist taxpayers in recouping some of the costs associated with testing.
New supplier, improved nasal tests
The County’s new supplier is Fulgent Genetics, a Southern California-based genetics testing company that provides diagnostic testing for improved patient care. The company’s COVID-19 polymersace chain reaction (PCR) tests involve a relatively short nasal swab, which most patients consider much less uncomfortable than the longer “nasopharyngeal swabs” commonly used earlier during the pandemic. Fulgent collaborates with Healthvana, an HIPAA-secure information portal, to provide test results 3-5 days after testing.
The County has established testing sites In Fontana, Hesperia, Montclair, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands, Rialto, San Bernardino and Victorville, along with the Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton. In addition, tests (and other services) are provided to underserved and vulnerable populations at County Health Centers in Adelante, Hesperia, Ontario and San Bernardino.
In addition, COVID-19 testing is being conducted at various state-run testing sites, as well as sites operated by private clinics, certain Rite-Aid Pharmacy locations, and HMO-operated facilities. State sites and private clinics may be using providers other than Fulgent, and testing methods vary at these other locations. Residents are encouraged to visit the County’s Testing Sites webpage to see all the County, state and private testing options, and to schedule an appointment.
Benefits of widespread testing
Public health experts believe that many of the people who carry the coronavirus do not know it, since they exhibit no symptoms of the disease (referred to as asymptomatic carriers). As a result, hundreds of thousands of infected people could be unintentionally spreading the virus to others.
“Increasing the number of people tested is essential to lowering the infection rate, getting the County back to work, and allowing recently reopened businesses to stay open,” said County Public Health Director Corwin Porter. “Testing gives us a better idea of community spread and the scope of infections, and helps us concentrate medical resources where they are needed most. And working in concert with our contact tracing team, we can better stop the spread of the virus.”
Expanded testing and lowering our positivity rate will help San Bernardino County get off the state’s Monitoring List and allow more flexibility in our reopening efforts.
Porter cautioned, however, that a negative test result should not be seen as permission to stop being cautious.
“Regardless of your test results, you still need to avoid gathering with people outside your immediate household.” Porter said. “You also should continue social distancing, continue wearing a face covering whenever in public, and diligent washing of your hands. Expanding our testing is an essential step in our war against COVID, but we’ve already seen what can happen if we relax prematurely.”
To learn more about the County’s testing program, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.
Corwin Porter Appointed County’s Public Health Director
The County of San Bernardino is very pleased to announce the appointment of Corwin Porter as Public Health Director. Corwin has worked for the Department of Public Health for 31 years and has served as Assistant Director for nearly 5 years, overseeing four divisions and three programs.
“We are very pleased that Corwin will bring his extensive experience to this role serving the residents of San Bernardino County,” said County CEO Gary McBride. “Through his extensive training and experience, Corwin has built a culture of quality by developing staff and encouraging leadership positions.”
Prior to his role as Assistant Director, Corwin served as the Director of Environmental Health Services for four years. While in this position he served on the California Conference of Directors of Environmental Health (CCDEH) Executive Committee for three years.
He holds a Master's Degree in Public Health with a concentration in Epidemiology and is a Registered Environmental Health Specialist and a certified professional food handler.
Through Corwin's leadership, the department developed several advancements in operations and received 18 NACo Achievement awards between 2019 and 2020. Throughout his career, Corwin has served with integrity and has been fully committed to executing the Countywide Vision and its focus on wellness.
Corwin is also an Adjunct Professor at Loma Linda University’s School of Public Health.
County Libraries Now Open for Summer with Limited Hours
Most San Bernardino County libraries have begun opening their doors with limited library services and modified hours. Although COVID-19 conditions are continually evolving, locations in the High Desert, Chino, and more will be operational Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with some variations for some locations.
County residents can visit a webpage to view a full list of County libraries open to the public, along with hours and safety measures.
Libraries have implemented a variety of safety measures, including temperature testing for all employees, installation of sneeze guards at all service counters and removal of some furniture to ensure proper social distancing. In addition, computer sessions have been reduced to one hour and face coverings are required for all employees and visitors.
The move to reopen comes as San Bernardino County libraries is featuring an online Summer Reading Program. Students can use their library card to register on Beanstack, an online tool for facilitating reading programs and begin logging in their reading progress for reward badges and potential prizes. Programs are organized into several age categories, with an adult program also available for participation.
County libraries also offer program kits to library card holders for weekly crafts tutorials hosted on Facebook Live. Participants follow along online and are provided with instructions and materials in a prepackaged kit available for pickup at their open local library. Patrons are also strongly encouraged to visit the County Library website to place items on hold, use self-checkout, and have access to all available eContent such as audiobooks, eBooks, and magazines.
Don’t Wait! County Offering Free Face Masks to Nonprofits
The County is now providing complimentary disposable face masks to help 501(c)3 organizations throughout San Bernardino County.
To obtain free masks through the County's Purchasing Department, please email a request to vendor@pur.sbcounty.gov. In your email, share documentation designating your organization as a 501(c)3 non-profit, along with the number of masks needed for your organization. The Purchasing Department will contact you when the complimentary disposable masks may be picked up.
Mask are available as supplies last, so don’t delay. The County is also asking that our County nonprofits only request what they need so we can help as many as possible.
15 Jail Inmates and 11 Sheriff’s Employees Test Positive for COVID-19
Fifteen County jail inmates have tested positive for COVID-19. Three inmates are at the West Valley Detention, two are at the High Desert Detention Center, eight are at the Glen Helen Rehabilitation Center, and two are at the Central Detention Center.
A total of 232 County jail inmates have tested positive for COVID-19. Many of the inmates are only experiencing minor symptoms of the virus. The infected inmates are in isolation, being monitored around the clock, and are being provided with medical treatment. One hundred and eighty-six inmates have recovered from the illness.
All inmates continue to be provided with face coverings, cleaning supplies, soap, and are urged to wash their hands repeatedly throughout the day. They are routinely reminded of the need to practice social distancing to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Eleven department employees have tested positive for COVID-19 and are self-isolating at home. A total of 152 department employees have tested positive for COVID-19. One hundred and thirteen (113) employees have recovered from the virus; other employees are expected to return to work in the next few weeks.
Latest Stats
32,230 Confirmed Cases (up 1.7% from the previous day)
409 Deaths (up 1.5% from the previous day)
248,086 Tested (up 1.9% from the previous day)
For more statistics from the COVID-19 Surveillance Dashboard, click the desktop or mobile
tab on the County’s sbcovid19.com website.
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