With the omicron variant pushing daily new cases up at an unprecedented rate, demand for COVID-19 testing in Long Beach has surged this week as residents prepare for holiday gatherings this weekend, officials said.
“With the community spread of COVID, and new variants circulating, it’s important to know one’s status prior to engaging with loved ones—especially if they are at higher risk,” Long Beach COVID-19 Vaccine Program Manager Gabriela Hurtado said in an email Thursday.
“Aside from testing, it is extremely important to continue following all the precautions like masking, social distancing, and hand hygiene in any setting,” she added.
Testing at city-run sites doubled this week compared to last week, Hurtado said, due to a combination of the surge in cases—particularly of the omicron variant—and the holidays. There were 13,200 appointments available at city testing sites this week, according to Hurtado, and as of 3:30 p.m. Thursday the city has administered 12,132 tests.
One drive-thru testing site, not operated by the city, at the former ABI Auto used car lot had a line of cars along Pacific Coast Highway that stretched from just before Walnut Avenue to Cherry Avenue, where it wrapped around the corner.
People flocked to Long Beach COVID-19 testing sites today ahead of holiday gatherings and as omicron surges. pic.twitter.com/JYufeEFjkm
— Brandon E Richardson (@_Brandon_E) December 24, 2021
Weather has forced the city’s outdoor testing facilities to alter hours, officials announced Wednesday. Testing is only available Friday at the Houghton Park Community Center in North Long Beach and the main health building at 2525 Grand Ave. from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Long Beach City College’s Pacific Coast Campus and Veterans Stadium sites, which are fully outdoors, remain closed.
All city-operated vaccine clinics are closed Friday.
“We are urging everyone to stay home if they have any symptoms or feel sick,” Hurtado said. “At this time of year, we also have other respiratory illnesses that circulate, like influenza. It is important to test after being exposed to someone who has or is suspected to have COVID-19.”
Long Beach health officials reported 305 new cases of the virus Thursday, continuing a dramatic increase from the weeks before. City officials already have reported 908 cases this week compared to 611 last week and 500 the week prior.
The city updates its COVID dashboard weekdays around 3:30 p.m.
While hospitalizations countywide have been relatively stable, increasing from 748 Wednesday, to 770 Thursday, Long Beach hospitalizations have nearly doubled over the last two weeks. On Dec. 10, the city reported 41 people hospitalized with the virus in area hospitals. As of Thursday, that number was 78.
Vaccination numbers continue to inch upward in Long Beach, with 77.5% of eligible residents aged 5 and up having received at least one dose of an inoculation as of Thursday, according to city data. Over 69% of eligible residents are fully vaccinated and just under 6,000 have received a booster.
“We continue to strongly recommend getting vaccinated with the COVID-19 and Influenza vaccines,” Hurtado said, “as well as being up to date with vaccinations—which includes boosters.”