11:45am | National HIV Testing Day is just four days away, and anyone between the ages of 16 and 67 who has never been tested is being urged to do so by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Various HIV/AIDS testing facilities are located throughout the city. Click here for a list and map of those locations.
The Long Beach Department of Public Health estimates that one in four, or about 1,500, HIV-positive Long Beach residents does not know his or her status, according to the CARE (Comprehensive AIDS Resource and Education) Program, a local testing site.
Based at St. Mary Medical Center, the program has announced that it has hired an additional HIV test counselor to work in its rapid testing program. Expanding its staff was a necessary step the CARE Program has taken in its effort to significantly reduce the number of HIV-positive Long Beach residents who are unaware that they are infected.
“People who are unaware of their HIV status account for more than half of all new infections,” said Michael Buitron, the newly hired counselor, in a statement. “The sooner these folks find out their status, the better we can get the virus under control and reduce their chances of getting sick or passing on the virus to others.
“For those who do test positive, we have a great clinical team to help them manage their condition, in addition to social services for support and education,” he added.
CARE, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, offers confidential testing with results in 20 minutes. Tests are conducted using an oral swab, meaning no needles are involved.
CARE is located at 411 E. 10th St. in Suite 107. HIV testing hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 562-624-4977 to schedule an appointment. Additional information is available at CAREProgram.org/testing.htm.