COVID-19 Testing in 2022

WOODLAND, CA (MPG) – The Yolo County Board of Supervisors approved up to $1 million in funding to continue COVID-19 testing through Healthy Yolo Together (HYT). A maximum of $500,000 would fund the first quarter of calendar year 2022, and $500,000 would support the second quarter of 2022. As a result of HYT and the University of California, Davis’ testing efforts, Yolo County has a testing rate more than double the statewide average. Testing is a vital tool in the fight against the spread of COVID-19.

“The Yolo County Board of Supervisors and I unanimously voted to support the funding to help extend COVID-19 testing for the Healthy Yolo Together project,” said Board Chair, Supervisor Jim Provenza. “The collaborative community testing continues to serve a critical, life-saving need for Yolo County residents.”

HYT has provided free COVID-19 testing services in Yolo County since November 2020. Working with university, county, and city leadership under a new partnership funding model, HYT plans to continue to provide free saliva-based community testing through June of 2022. In November, the Davis City Council voted unanimously to contribute $750,000 to continue Healthy Davis Together COVID-19 testing. Community testing can ramp quickly in reaction to a surge in cases.

“HYT has demonstrated that free, convenient testing with quick turnaround of results is a critically important tool to combat the COVID pandemic and protect public health,” said Brad Pollock, the Director of HYT.   “Testing, in addition to vaccinations, is especially important to safely enjoy the holidays and to prevent the spread of COVID variants that continue to threaten public health. We’re grateful for the support from the County and other local communities that allow HYT to continue its work.”

Yolo County received $10.5 million in state Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity grants to better respond to outbreaks like COVID-19, which will provide for the continued COVID-19 testing. The County’s $1 million funding commitment to HYT is a key part of their funding model with anticipated support from Woodland. West Sacramento expects to fund the plan for COVID-19 testing. The Board may reevaluate its funding commitment in February 2022.

We can all work together to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by getting vaccinated, getting tested, and following local masking guidance. With Pfizer pediatric doses authorized for children ages five to 11, we encourage parents to vaccinate their children. We recommend testing of anyone with symptoms, before and after gatherings or recent travel and regular testing of unvaccinated people to protect the health of our community.

For more information about the County’s COVID-19 response, visit www.yolocounty.org/covid.

For current testing locations and times, visit HealthyDavisTogether.org/testing/. Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins are accepted at most testing locations. Parking is free.