Lassen County COVID-19 cases increase; state funding for Project Baseline testing ending this month
Lassen County has 135 total COVID-19 cases as of Tuesday morning, and state funding for the COVID-19 Project Baseline Testing is ending this month.
According to Lassen Cares, the hub for local Novel Coronavirus information, Lassen County has 14 active community cases, 120 recovered and one death, for 135 total cases as of Tuesday morning, Nov. 3.
At the local correctional institutions, CCC has zero active and 626 recovered, HDSP has zero active and four recovered and FCI Herlong has eight active and four recovered, according to Lassen Cares.
Moreover, the Lassen COVID-19 Incident Command shared Monday that state funding for the COVID-19 Project Baseline Testing is ending this month.
The Lassen County Public Health department will continue to offer free drive-through COVID-19 testing through Nov. 25, at the Public Health Department, 1445 Paul Bunyan as follows:
- 9 a.m. to noon, Tuesday, Nov. 3.
- 9 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, Nov. 4.
- 9 a.m. to noon, Tuesday, Nov. 10.
- 9 a.m. to noon, Tuesday, Nov. 17.
- 9 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, Nov. 18.
- 9 a.m. to noon, Tuesday, Nov. 24.
- 9 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, Nov. 25.
Those wanting to get tested on these dates should register online at projectbaseline.com/study/covid- 19 prior to arriving at the clinic. Project Baseline Testing is only available for individuals 18 years or older.
According to Barbara Longo, Health and Social Services Director, early in the pandemic the county entered into a contract with the state and Verily, the company that created Project Baseline — the tool used to facilitate screening and testing for COVID-19. That contract initially ran from April to mid June, and was extended through November.
However, while the current contract providing free testing is expiring, the county is still seeking funding or contracts to continue the testing.
“We’ve been trying to negotiate and trying to secure some funding and we haven’t lined anything up yet,” said Longo. “So we figured we better let the public know that we are going to continue with this project through the end of November, and that way, if we couldn’t get anything lined up, then there would be no surprises.”
“We were lucky and fortunate to have this through November, which was way beyond the date of the agreement,” Longo added.
Longo said symptomatic people will still be able to receive tests after December and residents are urged to contact their healthcare provider for more information about COVID-19 testing options.
Additionally, Lassen County Public Health will continue to provide COVID-19 Contact Tracing to contain and prevent the transmission of COVID-19.
If you feel like you or someone you care for is exhibiting symptoms, call the Call Center at Public Health 251-8100.
