The Curative COVID-19 testing kiosk in the Community Hall parking lot will close permanently on Friday, Dec. 2, according to a Nov. 29 city announcement.
The city says the kiosk has provided over 11,000 tests in Piedmont since opening in November 2021. Originally open only two days per week, the site expanded to Monday through Friday service in January 2022. Demand has waned in recent months, and Curative has cited low use numbers as the reason for the site’s closure.
“I’m proud that we’ve been able to provide this service to our community for over a year at no cost to the public,” said Fire Chief Dave Brannigan. “Bringing a test site to our civic center last winter — when testing lines stretched around the block throughout the region — gave Piedmont residents a critical tool to navigate last year’s omicron surge. Since then, the site has supported thousands of community members as they resumed elements of pre-pandemic life, including return to offices, attending large events, and enjoying long-delayed travel plans.”
In contrast to when the site opened last year, COVID-19 tests are now widely available through many sources:
• At-home tests: Home antigen tests are now easy to purchase at pharmacies and online. Additionally, the FDA has extended the expiration dates for many brands of home test kits, so tests you already have may still be good even if the printed expiration date has passed. Information on extended expiration dates is available on the FDA website.
• Public testing locations: Use the California Department of Public Health interactive map and search tool at myturn.ca.gov/testing to find local testing options. This site provides information about community clinics sponsored by Alameda County Public Health as well as sites run by private testing providers. The tool allows you to filter results to display only free testing sites, or locations that offer both testing and treatment.
• Your health care provider: Health care providers are required by law to provide testing when you have symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19.
Health officials continue to advise getting tested before attending a gathering, staying home when sick, and getting vaccinated or boosted to provide the best protection against serious illness from COVID-19.
Community members with general questions about COVID-19 can call the Alameda County Public Health community support line (510) 268-2101. Those seeking medical guidance related to COVID-19 should contact their health care provider, or call the 24/7 California Medi-Nurseline at (877) 409-9052 if uninsured.