City of Hayward broadens criteria for its COVID-19 testing service
HAYWARD, Calif., March 23, 2020—The City of Hayward is now offering COVID-19 testing for people with COVID-19 symptoms or known risk factors, and for first-responders and health-care workers with suspected recent exposure to the coronavirus.
The testing center is located at Hayward Fire Station #7, 28270 Huntwood Avenue, and is open every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The center can test up to 370 people a day with results to be available in as little as six hours or by the next day in most cases.
The testing is free, and available to anyone who meets test criteria—regardless of where they live or immigration status. Symptoms or conditions qualifying a member of the general public for testing are a fever above 100 degrees, or any of the following:
- Shortness of breath or other respiratory symptoms;
- Recent travel to Europe or Asia;
- Recent exposure to confirmed or suspected coronavirus;
- Other chronic diseases or conditions, such as blood disorders, kidney or liver disease, diabetes, heart, lung or neurological disease, and compromised immune system;
- Over the age of 65;
- Currently or recently pregnant; or
- Homeless
No referral from a physician is required. To access the testing center, members of the general public should enter Huntwood Avenue at Industrial Boulevard—and then proceed north to a curbside screening location or the back of the line leading to it.
People determined to qualify for testing will be asked to proceed to a verification site prior to testing. People not qualifying for testing will be asked to depart the area via Lustig Court.
First responders and health-care workers with recent suspected exposures to coronavirus are invited to call the City’s COVID-19 hotline (510) 583-4949 to make an appointment for testing.
For more information about COVID-19 and how the City of Hayward is responding to the pandemic, go online to the City’s COVID-19 Updates webpage.
Download the full News Release.
