Following Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent announcement to add more than 80 community testing sites across the state focused on underserved communities, San Joaquin County has launched a new testing site at the Lodi Public Library, 201 W. Locust St., Lodi.

This new site is one of 80 testing sites powered through a partnership with OptumServe, the federal government health services business of Optum, a leading health services innovation company.

Testing will be by appointment only for those persons who meet the screening guidelines. The testing, which will be conducted 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, will continue until further notice.

The testing center will be in the library’s Bud Sullivan Community Room. Appointment requests can be made online through https://lhi.care/covidtesting, or by calling OptumServe at (888) 634-1123. Walk-in tests are not available. No library services, including book returns, are available during this time.

Testing will be by nasal swab for live coronavirus. Patients will receive a card at time of testing with instructions on receiving test results, which should be available in 48 to 72 hours. In addition, OptumServe nurses will contact those persons who test positive. Testing for coronavirus antibodies is not available.

The testing is available to residents of all counties. Fees will be covered by insurance or the State.

“This Lodi testing site will help San Joaquin County dramatically increase testing needs for individuals who have had limited access to COVID-19 tests up until now,” said Dr. Maggie Park, Public Health Officer for San Joaquin County. “We’re thrilled to partner with Lodi, the State and OptumServe to help ensure our communities are healthy, while also helping meet California’s testing goals.”

To determine where to locate new testing sites, the state looked at both rural and urban areas where Californians would have to travel between 30 and 60 minutes to reach an existing testing site or hospital. That information was then evaluated based on underserved populations, to address known disparities, and median income, so residents have access to testing regardless of socioeconomic status.

OptumServe has extensive expertise in rapidly deploying and setting up health care services.

“OptumServe is honored to assist California in expanding COVID-19 testing for residents,” said Patty Horoho, CEO of OptumServe. “We are bringing our full commitment and capabilities to serve Californians, including extensive experience conducting large community health events.”

At maximum capacity, OptumServe will be able to support up to 80 testing sites at one time throughout the state, increasing total testing capacity by more than 10,500 tests per day.

“Thanks to Lodi, San Joaquin County and to OptumServe for the collaboration to make these testing sites possible,” said Charity Dean, M.D., Assistant Director of the California Department of Public Health. “We’re working together as part of the state’s Testing Task Force to ensure regions with the greatest need have access to tests, and these sites are going to be a major component in reaching our testing goals.”