Dr. Frankovich details new COVID-19 testing partnership

HUMBOLDT COUNTY, Calif. (KIEM) – A new regional partnership among health agencies will increase testing capacity in Humboldt County.

United Indian Health Services, Del Norte and Humboldt counties, Humboldt State University, and tribal communities reached an agreement. The North Coast Regional Testing Partnership will make it possible to administer and process approximately 9,000 COVID-19 tests locally each month. An agreement between the state and PerkinElmer will also help with the increase. The effects of the agreement are expected to be seen in the fall.

Dr. Teresa Frankovich discussed the benefits of the new partnership. The new agreement will eliminate the need to ship tests out of the area. Frankovich said turnaround times will now be similar to Humboldt County Public Health Lab tests. The new equipment will provide results in 24 to 72 hours.