Over 300 Free COVID-19 Tests Done at NW Fresno Site

This COVID-19 test takes just over five minutes. Results come back in two or three days.

Since opening May 13, the drive-up testing site at United Health Centers‘ Fresno location near Herndon and Milburn avenues has performed more than 300 COVID-19 tests.

The cost of the test is covered by insurance. If you don’t have insurance, the cost is free.

Painless Swabs Test for COVID-19

The shorter nasal swabs are being used as opposed to the longer nasal pharyngeal swabs.

“The test was quick and painless, just a light swab in my nose. Barely felt anything,” District 2 Fresno City Council Member Mike Karbassi said when the site opened. “The whole process for me took no more than 30 minutes.”

(“The COVID-19 testing is free. The location is the United Health Centers, 6810 N. Milburn Avenue. Open 5 days a week for testing. You can either register beforehand by calling them at 800-492-4227, or just drive up and they’ll take care of you there also.” — Mike Karbassi)

Multiple Locations

UHC Deputy CEO Justin Preas says, “We are testing at all of our 19 locations.  To date, at all of our locations, we have performed over 5,000 tests in total and this is rapidly increasing.”

The Milburn location is the first of UHC’s free testing sites in Fresno. Three more are set to open later at Blackstone and Olive avenues, Tuolumne Street, and Bullard and Cedar avenues.

The Olive Avenue site is set to open in the next eight to 10 weeks.

Preas said that tests are being performed in Firebaugh and Mendota, as well. UHC hopes to offer COVID-19 antibody testing in the next couple of months.

“We can handle as many people that can come in as possible,” Preas said.