Irvine plans to begin offering free coronavirus testing later this month. City residents will get priority, but the COVID-19 tests will be accessible to all — including those without symptoms, a first in the county.
Irvine City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved the testing program, which is set to kick off May 26.
In addition to antigen testing — which determines if someone currently has the virus — the city is planning to offer antibody testing as an “add-on” at a cost of $10 per person. Antibody tests are meant to show if someone previously had the virus.
“We want to extend testing to as many people as possible; adding antigen and antibody testing will reinforce the expansive health and safety efforts we have put in place since day one,” Vice Mayor Mike Carroll said in a statement.
The city’s contract with nonprofit U.S. Health Fairs currently includes $95,000 toward antigen testing and $10,000 for antibody testing.
However, after concerns were raised about the accuracy of current antibody tests, officials say they’ll revisit the issue at their next council meeting. Some also worry that people shown to have antibodies will consider themselves immune to the virus, despite there being no evidence thus far that one can develop immunity.
The site will be set up at the Orange County Great Park and serve people in cars, on foot and on bicycles. Officials said more information will be provided in the coming days, including how to get an appointment.
When testing begins, officials expect the location will have a capacity of 380 tests a day for six months, but that could be expanded if there’s enough demand. They plan to be open for testing four days a week.
