Donning scrubs and masks, clinicians at Sierra Vista Medical Clinic in Simi Valley swab patients whose vehicles are the only physical barrier between the medical professionals and the potential COVID-19 virus.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, COVID-19 testing is administered under a distinct set of criteria. It is important to recognize that most patients with COVID-19 have a fever and/or acute respiratory illness symptoms, including shortness of breath or even a simple cough. Other criteria covered are age range, pregnancy, previous and/or current medical conditions and close contact with infected patients. However, the ultimate decision-makers on whether or not a person will be tested are the clinicians themselves.

Sierra Vista Medical Clinic has been operating drive-thru testing for the past few weeks. This clinic remains the only one in Ventura County within a 20-mile radius from Oak Park which provides drive-thru testing.

Within these 20 miles are two Kaiser Permanente locations in Los Angeles County — one in Woodland Hills and the other in Panorama City. Both provide testing for COVID-19, only available by doctor’s order and by meeting the specific criteria aforesaid.

Kaiser also aims to institute drive-thru testing at their facilities in Southern California, but the facilities at which drive-thru testing will be conducted have not been confirmed. According to the Daily Bulletin, Kaiser Permanente’s drive-thru locations will not be open to the public and are not being publicized. Additionally, these tests are only available to those who have a physician’s order and insurance through Kaiser.

Between these medical centers is Dignity Health’s Northridge Hospital Medical Center. When a person with possible symptoms visits, a procedure is practiced to eliminate all potential risk when encountering that person. The patient is immediately masked and situated into an isolation unit. An assessment is conducted, and if a positive test result is presumed, the staffers work to provide that patient with a COVID-19 test. 

Furthest from Oak Park within these 20 miles is the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Westwood, ranked sixth-best hospital in the nation and first in LA County. The surge capacity is increasing, and an external triage tent has been erected outside the hospital. Although a physician’s order is necessary to get tested, the hospital’s expeditious process delivers results within two to three hours of testing, according to spokeswoman Jane Murcia.

There is much still unknown concerning the future of this virus. In recent news, the United States continues to run low on testing products and supplies, especially due to the exponential rise in tests conducted. 

If you would like to donate supplies or money to help medical workers, go visit GetUsPPE, a website started by doctors seeking supplies and donations.