HAYWARD — The city’s testing center for coronavirus is moving to the campus of Ca State East Bay starting at 9 a.m. Tuesday.
The new location, at the university’s Parking Lot A on West Loop Road, is across the street from the university’s police department, student health center, library and gymnasium, and provides more space for vehicle and foot traffic, as well as improved accessibility for disabled people who want to be tested, according to the city.
“We are tremendously appreciative of the partnership with Cal State East Bay to provide a new home for this vital service at a critical moment,” Hayward Fire Chief Garrett Contreras said.
“I also want to express our gratitude to the Tennyson Park neighborhood for welcoming the center when we launched it there three weeks ago at Fire Station Number Seven,” Contreras said. “Their cooperation and support made this possible and is helping to save lives today.”
Hayward firefighters set up the center to take pressure off hospital emergency rooms, provide quicker answers for first responders and health care workers with coronavirus symptoms, and to better inform people so they know to isolate if infected with the virus.
Testing at the center is free and open to anyone with symptoms, such as a fever more than 100 degrees. Symptoms also include cough and shortness of breath. No referral from a doctor is required. Everyone can be tested despite where they live or immigration status.
Health-care workers and first responders can make advance appointments by calling 510-583-4949.
The center is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., or until the number of tests that can be processed for the day is exhausted.
In cooperation with Alameda County’s health department, the center also is sending teams of firefighter-paramedics and health clinicians to provide testing at nursing homes and for others considered most in need based on their living and health conditions.
