Clínica Sierra Vista heavily impacted by COVID-19 omicron variant surge
As the demand for COVID-19 testing increased in the Central Valley due to the surge of the COVID-19’s omicron variant and a short supply of testing kits, a community-based health care provider system is implementing changes that would impact people living in Fresno and Kern counties.
Clínica Sierra Vista announced Wednesday morning that it would be changing its Covid-19 testing policies in both counties effective immediately.
“Like many other providers and medical establishments, we have received an overwhelming amount of people seeking a COVID-19 test, unfortunately the current supplies are not meeting demand,” said Tim Calahan, spokesperson at Clinica Sierra Vista in a statement.
The changes are:
▪ COVID-19 testing will be offered to established patients only.
▪ Walk-in testing will no longer be offered.
▪ COVID-19 testing by appointment only.
“If you are a patient of Clínica Sierra Vista and experiencing mild symptoms, like a scratchy or sore throat, nasal congestion, assume you have COVID-19, self-isolate and contact your provider to schedule a test,” said Dr. Olga Meave, chief medical officer at Clínica Sierra Vista.
To schedule an appointment and be evaluated for COVID-19, current patients can call (661) 328-4223 or (833) 678-2781.
“Clínica Sierra Vista has been at work heavily during this pandemic. We are seeing large, large numbers of demand over this past week for people who need COVID tests,” said clinics CEO Stacy Ferreira during Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Tuesday visit to a Clínica Sierra Vista site in Lamont. “People who are concerned and are starting to roll up their sleeves for vaccines again, and to that I’d like to say, ‘You know, Clínica Sierra Vista is here and is a partner, but we are one member of this safety net, so please look around your community. Look for your resources.’”
People may experience cough, shortness of breath or difficult breathing, fever, chills, muscle pain, sore throat and or loss of taste or smell two to 14 days after exposure.
“We encourage our patients to follow the latest CDC guidance if they are experiencing symptoms, and while waiting for test results,” Meave said.
To reduce the spread of COVID-19, CDC recommends people wear face coverings in public settings, and self-isolate for at least five days while waiting for test results.
“At this time, we are only offering COVID-19 tests to established patients, and by appointment only,” Calahan said.
According to Calahan, COVID-19 testing will be done via PCR and sent to Clínica Sierra Vista’s reference lab for resulting.
“We do have testing at all of our locations. It is heavily impacted because of the surge and so to that I would say to all of you out there that, may be experiencing COVID symptoms. Please, please assume you’ll have it put on a mask, protect yourself and your family members and call in and set up an appointment for COVID testing,” Ferreira said, adding that Clínica Sierra Vista is offering vaccines to members of the community who still haven’t completed that process.
“It’s really an important part of ensuring that our communities remain safe,” Ferreira said of vaccines.
Clínica Sierra Vista serves medical, dental, and behavioral health needs of about 200,000 people in Kern and Fresno counties.
