Availability of COVID-19 testing has been a point of contention in recent weeks, with surging cases and rising hospitalization numbers.
County-supported pop-up testing came to Cupertino, Sunnyvale, and Santa Clara in June. It has been in San Jose and Gilroy in recent weeks aimed to underserved populations. Cupertino’s pop-up site saw extensive lines and long waits.
According Cupertino City Manager Deb Feng, testing is coming to the Cupertino Senior Center this week, on July 24-25. Unlike the pop-up testing, this is by appointment only. As of Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Feng said all 600 spaces had already been reserved.
“So there is certainly a demand for the testing,” Feng said at the meeting.
The new appointment-based approach is an attempt to improve efficiency and cut down on lengthy lines.
“It is definitely a pilot,” Feng added.
Further testing, by appointment, is expected at the Cupertino Senior Center on August 5 and 9, as well as September 2 and 16, according to Feng.
Testing is also available at the Cupertino Walgreens at 20011 Bollinger Rd. It runs daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Long-lines have led the site to regularly run out of each day’s allotment. For more information on the Walgreens site, click here.
Cupertino is also working with the American Red Cross on blood donations, as the region faces a shortage.
That blood drive is set for September 15 at Cupertino Community Hall. Physical distancing will be followed and face coverings are required. 50 spaces are available with the incentive that each donation will undergo COVID antibody testing.