COVID-19 testing sites still in high demand in Monterey County

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION) This week Monterey County hit a new all-time high case rate for the pandemic and it comes nearly two years after the pandemic started, putting a high demand on testing.  

Aside from feeling ill or showing symptoms, there are a handful of reasons why people are seeking tests. From travel plans and events that require a negative test, to making sure their household is staying healthy.

While some are still scrambling to find an at-home tests or testing sites, others say it's hit or miss. "A lot of places are starting to require appointments ahead of time now, which is understandable. Nowadays without the appointment it's kind of harder. Sometimes if you show up and there is no line they’ll take you,” said Josias Erickson, who needed the test for work.

But Monterey County during this week’s media briefing, says demand is still high. "It's really difficult to find a test right now. There's our supply chain issues due to increased demands. We've never seen lines like this in testing sites and testing staff are also getting sick, like many others in the community,” mentioned Kim Stemler, Coordinator for vaccine and test information for the Covid-19 Collaborative of the Community Foundation for Monterey County.  

Though it was not determined if it was COVID-related, the impact of short staffing was evident at the Salinas state testing sight at Sherwood Hall on Wednesday.

"It’s closed," pointed Juan Ramirez who was made an appointment prior.

The doors were locked, and there were signs posted in the window with a message, "no nurse."  Leaving people, like Ramirez, searching for a different site.  

It's kind of hard seeing where I am supposed to go to get the testing done,” added Ramirez.  

For those needing hard proof of a negative test sooner rather than later, some good news. Monterey County is 
working to make that process a little bit easier. 

"Starting this week, we're actually going to have forms available. So if people just wait around for 15 minutes, get the results of their test, we can write it down in a form that is pretty much identical to the one that they're going to have email or a text to them,” continued Stemler.

Positive tests are at about 19-percent which means that for every 100 people tested, about 19 people on average are testing positive, thats according to Kristy Michie, Assistant Director of Public Health who spoke at this week’s meeting.

If you’re looking for testing or vaccination sites, the county encourages people to visit MontereyCountyVaccines.com, for daily updates.