A message from the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, Joshua R. Bonner, IOM

I have been asked quite a bit lately how our members can help get the economy back open.  One of the easiest steps you can take?  Get tested!

One of the key metrics the Governor is looking at to allow counties to progress more rapidly through the phased reopening is the percentage of COVID-19 test being performed within the county that are returning positive results. Basic intuition tells us that if only those that are feeling ill get tested, we will inevitably have a higher percentage of positive for COVID-19 results.  One of the simplest ways to manage the percentage of positive results is to have healthy people get tested as well.  This is simple math, the more healthy people get tested the more negative for COVID-19 results we will generate.

To be clear, we are not attempting to game the system.  The County Health Department wants everyone to get tested.  It is the only way they can get a clear picture of how many people within Riverside County are infected. They also want you to get tested with reasonable frequency.  As we know, a negative test today could be a positive test next week.  Be safe, get tested on a regular basis for as long as COVID-19 remains a threat, or until the County Health Department ask us not to.

Testing at the county-run sites is open to anyone, whether you have symptoms or not, and there are no out-of-pocket costs to individuals. You must have an appointment to get tested.

Testing site locations are listed below. To make an appointment at a county-operated site, call 800-945-6171. To make an online appointment at the state-run testing site, click lhi.care/covidtesting.

BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT TO GET TESTED TODAY!