Mayor Eric Garcetti announced Los Angeles has provided more than 1 million COVID-19 tests. (photo courtesy of Mayor Eric Garcetti’s office)

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti recently announced that the city of Los Angeles has administered more than 1 million tests since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, a major milestone in L.A.’s fight against the virus.

Joined by leaders from Community Organized Relief Effort, Curative-Korva Labs and the Los Angeles Fire Department, the mayor touted the public-private partnerships that helped the city reach the milestone on Aug. 5 and highlighted the next steps in the ongoing effort to stop the spread of COVID-19 and save lives.

“This virus thrives on division, but this week’s milestone is a testament to what is possible when we harness the power of partnerships,” Garcetti said. “Our job is far from done and this announcement only reinforces the magnitude of the task ahead, to continue championing nimble, effective solutions that keep our people healthy and our communities safe.”

Early in the crisis, Los Angeles became the first large city in the United States to offer widespread testing for anyone, with or without symptoms. At city sites, CORE has led operations and Curative has conducted testing analysis, with the city and LAFD overseeing the program.

The city has spent nearly $100 million to bring free testing to residents, working with partner organizations to establish COVID-19 diagnostic testing sites at six drive-thru and two walk-up locations, as well as dozens of pop-up community testing sites. The city provided testing for a majority of skilled nursing facilities in Los Angeles and required monthly testing for all staff and residents. The city of Los Angeles will soon partner with Curative to launch testing at mobile kiosks, expanding the availability of testing to communities without access to a drive-thru site.

“Mayor Garcetti rose to an unprecedented challenge with no federal strategy and limited support. CORE is proud of its team of everyday citizens who have stepped up to do their part, alongside our city’s firefighters and other workers,” CORE Co-Founder and CEO Ann Lee said. “Now in our fifth month of fighting this pandemic, we know that testing is one piece of saving the lives and livelihoods at stake right now. We must do more. We ask the public to continue doing its part to mask, distance and test, and if testing positive, to quarantine and fully participate with contact tracers.”

The city has also partnered with the L.A. County Department of Public Health to increase a contact tracing program.

“The men and women of the LAFD continue to work collaboratively with Mayor Garcetti’s staff and the dedicated personnel from Curative and CORE to facilitate citywide COVID-19 testing for Angelenos,” LAFD Chief Ralph Terrazas said. “The battle against COVID-19 is unlike anything we have seen in our lifetime, and I am proud that our organizations were able to quickly answer the mayor’s call to design, staff and supply such a complex operation.”

Residents seeking testing for COVID-19 are encouraged to make an appointment with their health care providers, or the more than 100 state, county and community-based providers offering free testing in the Los Angeles area. For information, visit coronavirus.lacity.org/testing.