New 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays schedule for Hayward COVID-19 Testing Center

HAYWARD, Calif., May 30, 2020—The Hayward COVID-19 Testing Center announced today it will begin a 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays operating schedule starting Monday, June 1.

The Center, operated by the Hayward Fire Department at Lot A on the Cal State University East Bay campus, is free and provides testing on a first-come, first-served basis regardless of income, place of residence or immigration status.

Mobile teams of specially trained Hayward firefighter-paramedics also provide COVID-19 testing of residents and employees of nursing homes, at police departments, and for people experiencing homelessness or who are otherwise in need.

Health-care workers and first-responders can make advance appointments for testing at the Center by calling the City’s COVID-19 Hotline at (510) 583-4949.  The hotline call center is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

The Testing Center was first established by the Hayward Fire Department to take pressure off Hospital emergency rooms, get quicker answers about possible infections of health-care workers and first responders, and to help slow community spread of COVID-19.

No physician referral is required.  People with COVID-19 symptoms—such as, fever, cough and shortness of breath—are encouraged to seek testing.  But anyone with a reason to be tested is welcome.  Test results usually are available within six hours or by the next morning.

Under its new operating schedule, the Testing Center will be open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday or until the total number of tests available for the day have been exhausted.