The local Verily community COVID-19 test will return to Del Norte High School on Wednesdays, according to Del Norte County’s emergency services manager.

Free testing will be available to the community from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Wednesday in the parking lot near Mike Whalen Field at Del Norte High School through the end of August, said OES Manager Kymmie Scott.

The site is provided to Del Norte County through the California Department of Public Health, which holds the contract with Verily and Project Baseline through Aug 31.

“Discussion was being had on whether or not the state will renew that contract or if it will look at counties to either renew it with (Verily) or do something different on our own,” Scott told the Wild Rivers Outpost. “We don’t know the answer to that yet.”

There is one active COVID-19 case in Del Norte County as of 3:56 p.m. Thursday, according to the county’s COVID-19 Information Hub. Public health personnel are conducting contact tracing related to that case.

Another new COVID-19 case was reported Thursday in a resident from outside of Del Norte County who was tested in-county, according to the Public Health Branch. That case is not included in the number of positive cases within Del Norte County.

In the wake of increased COVID-19 activity statewide, California Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday ordered indoor closures for restaurants, wineries, tasting rooms, movie theaters, family entertainment venues, zoos, museums and card rooms.

In a presentation to county supervisors on Tuesday, Del Norte Public Health Officer Dr. Warren Rehwaldt said the governor’s order means Crescent City Cinemas has to close, while restaurants will have to go back to outdoor seating. Bars, which were scheduled to open July 24, will also likely to stay shuttered, he said.

Most of Del Norte County’s COVID-19 cases have been discovered through contact tracing, which is a good metric, Rehwaldt said. He said he’s hoping the governor’s order will be relaxed soon.

“Most counties in Northern California are similarly situated — our nearest neighbors are all in the same boat at the moment,” Rehwaldt told supervisors. “It’s unfortunate that this has taken on a one-size fits-all situation again.”

Del Norte County has seen a total of 62 COVID-19 cases since March. There were two hospitalizations, though those patients have recovered, and zero deaths, according to the Public Health Branch.

To schedule a testing appointment with Verily, visit https://www.covid19.dnco.org/testing.

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