The Chula Vista Fire Department is conducting free COVID-19 tests at Chula Vista City Hall.
The testing site can be found between buildings B and C at 475 Fourth Avenue in Chula Vista. Tests will be offered from 8:30 a.m through noon, and 1 p.m through 4 p.m, except on holidays.
Members of the public are required to schedule an appointment for these free tests. Those who are interested may schedule an appointment at https://lhi.care/covidtesting.
The Chula Vista Fire Department supports the efforts to detect COVID-19 amid the rapid transmission of the Omicron variant. It is the most contagious strain so far, accounting for 80 percent of cases in California.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom recently activated the California National Guard to further support testing efforts.
There have been no reports of COVID-19 outbreaks among fire personnel in Chula Vista that had operational impacts, like what was seen in San Diego. At least 1 in 7 firefighters in San Diego have fallen ill with COVID-19 and are now unable to work.
The firefighters union in San Diego reported that 184 people in the department had contracted COVID-19 as of Friday. The majority who are infected are firefighters, but there are also some civilians hired by the department.
The personnel shortage led San Diego firefighters to suspend operations of a dozen trucks and two other specialized units.
