COVID-19 testing “no shows” and other concerns in Monterey County
MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) -- Some concerns from Monterey County health officials after reports of "no shows" and other issues regarding COVID-19 testing
The county is saying the Optum Testing sites are where people simply aren't showing up for their COVID-19 testing appointments.
This includes testing site locations in Greenfield and Salinas as most of the sites are booked to capacity.
The county says the unfortunate side of this is that a high "no show" rate to these appointments has become more evident.
Many walk-in clients, according to the county, are being turned away that had been referred due to contact tracing work.
Meanwhile another concern, happening statewide, has reached Monterey County.
Officials are saying the results of optum-site tests are arriving at a later time than normal.
Results that would normally arrive between 48 and 72 hours are now arriving more than 7 days later.
"I know the state is well aware and working with local labs in order for them to be able to process those tests quicker," says Elsa Jimenez with Monterey County Health.
Jimenez also says there's a strain being made on individuals involved with contact tracing and walk-in testing as those walk-in appointments had been reduced.
The county says they're going to work with Optum, which runs these test sites, to try and reserve slots to take walk-ins, however that could take 1 to 2 weeks to take effect.
The county wants to remind those who need to reschedule or cancel their COVID-19 testing appointments should do so appropriate through Optum Testing's website.
That information can be found at the link provided below: