Drive-thru and walk-up testing s available at different locations throughout the city. (photo courtesy of Los Angeles County)

Los Angeles County is sending out free at-home COVID-19 tests due to a surge in cases. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has announced that all residents are eligible to receive free at-home PCR tests from Fulgent Genetics, in an effort to encourage testing and prevent the highly transmissible Omicron variant from spreading further. L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said the county is bracing for an increase in positive cases and hospitalizations.

Public health officials hope the free tests will ease long lines at PCR testing sites and alleviate the costs of at-home rapid testing kits. Some kits can cost up to $40 online or at drug stores, if they are available.

The L.A. County Home Test Collection program offers all residents at-home testing with a nasal swab kit. Due to high demand, orders for kits have been temporarily discontinued, but will resume on Jan. 12. For information and to have a test kit shipped to your home address via FedEx, visit picturegenetics.com/covid19?c=lacathome.

Testing is recommended, regardless of vaccination, if you have COVID-19 symptoms, or you have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19 within the last 14 days.

People who are returning from international travel, even if fully vaccinated, are also encouraged to get tested for COVID-19. Testing is recommended one to three days before and three to five days after travel outside of California but within the United States.

County and privately-operated testing sites in the local area include Plummer Park, 7377 Santa Monica Blvd.; Pan Pacific Park, 7600 Beverly Blvd.; Poinsettia Recreation Center, 7341 Willoughby Ave.; Axis Clinical Trials, 5800 Wilshire Blvd.; CVS pharmacy, 1747 N. Cahuenga Blvd.; Anderson Munger YMCA, 4301 W. Third St.; and DoctorNow, 181 N. Robertson Blvd.

Appointments may be necessary at testing sites. For information, visit covid19.lacounty.gov/testing.