City of Riverside Opens First of Several New COVID-19 Testing Sites in the Inland Empire, Featuring No-Cost, Contactless, Self-Administered Tests From Curative
Published: 11/10/2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Nov. 10, 2020
Contact:
Phil Pitchford
Public Information Officer
951-826-5975
City of Riverside Opens First of Several New COVID-19 Testing Sites in the Inland Empire, Featuring No-Cost, Contactless, Self-Administered Tests From Curative
Increased testing is a key to the area’s ability to reopen more of its economy by advancing out of the widespread (purple) category in the state’s system
RIVERSIDE, Calif. – The City of Riverside, seeking to reopen more of its local economy by stemming the spread of COVID-19, is opening the first of several testing sites Wednesday (11/11) featuring a free, contactless, self-administered test from Curative Inc., which has completed more than six million such tests in 15 states across the U.S.
The drive-through testing site opening Wednesday is in the Mission Grove Plaza at the intersection of Alessandro Boulevard and Mission Grove Parkway. It will be followed Thursday by a mobile van offering tests throughout the city, then a drive-through testing site at the La Sierra Senior Center on Nov. 18. A walk-up kiosk is scheduled to open in the downtown area in late November.
Appointments are preferred, but walk-ups are available at all locations. Online appointments and date/time/location information can be found at: www.Curative.com. Appointment slots open about 3-4 days in advance.
Increased testing is a key to the area’s ability to reopen more of its economy by advancing out of the widespread (purple) category in the state’s system to the substantial (red) category, then on to orange and yellow. Testing informs infected individuals, even those who are not showing symptoms, that they need to isolate and avoid spreading the virus to others.
“Everybody wants our city to start taking steps toward normalcy, and increased testing is one important way to make that happen,” Mayor Rusty Bailey said. “I encourage all Riversiders to take advantage of this opportunity, for your health, the health of your family members and the overall well-being of our community.”
The partnership between the City of Riverside and Curative Inc. will provide quick, easy, and painless no-cost access to COVID-19 oral-fluid swab testing across the community.
“Curative is proud to be partnering with the City of Riverside and be a crucial resource for residents during this pandemic,” said Fred Turner, CEO and co-founder of Curative. “Curative’s testing sites are easy to access and welcome everyone in the community. Our unique, self-administered oral fluid swab COVID-19 test offers a painless, simple option with quick 24-48-hour results and no cost to patients.”
Curative’s oral-fluid swab testing involves having a person first cough into their elbow or mask, which releases virus from the upper and lower respiratory tract. The person then swabs the teeth, inside of the cheeks and the roof of the mouth before sealing the test within a secure container and returning it to a Curative observer.
The entire Curative test is done without having to come into close contact with others, therefore eliminating the need for personal protective equipment (PPE) changes. Results are sent via text or email within 48 hours of testing. (To ensure accurate results, do not eat, drink, chew gum, smoke, or brush your teeth a half-hour before taking the test.)
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act ensures that COVID-19 testing is available at no cost, including the uninsured. Curative will not charge a copay. Riverside County, nor Curative, will report undocumented individuals.
“If you want to support local business, get tested,” Mayor Pro Tem Steve Hemenway said. “If you want to eat inside at your favorite restaurant, get tested. If you are part of a faith community that has been longing to gather indoors, get tested.”
Appointments can be made at curative.com, but walk-ups are accepted. The schedule is:
Mission Grove Plaza -- 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting Wednesday. Times may vary due to demand.
Mobile van at various locations throughout the city of Riverside. – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
|
Date |
Location |
Address |
|
CBU |
8432 Magnolia Avenue |
|
|
CBU |
8432 Magnolia Avenue |
|
|
Ryan Bonaminio Park |
5000 Tequesquite Avenue |
|
|
Ryan Bonaminio Park |
5000 Tequesquite Avenue |
|
|
Shamel Park |
3650 Arlington Avenue |
|
|
Patterson Park |
1846 W. Linden Street |
|
|
Bordwell Park |
2008 Martin Luther King Blvd. |
|
|
Arlanza Library |
8267 Philbin Avenue |
|
|
Casa Blanca Library |
2985 Madison Avenue |
|
|
Arlington Heights Sports Park |
9401 Cleveland Avenue |
La Sierra Community Center – Opening Nov. 18, operating seven days per week, times may vary due to demand. Appointments available 3-4 days in advance.
Downtown Kiosk – Opening late November near City Hall and Main Street Mall.
For the latest schedule, information and resources regarding COVID-19 -- www.RiversideCA.gov/COVID-19
-30-
