Los Angeles Coronavirus Update: Free COVID-19 Testing Available For All Its Residents

With more than a million cases and close to 62,000 deaths, the U.S. continues to be the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic that has spread across the globe.

The government had been under fire for its delayed response in applying the strict social distancing measures and their inability to carry out the mass testing to flatten the curve of the epidemic. But now, at least some parts of the nation are waking up to employ what is necessary to combat the outbreak.

And the latest in this list is the city of Los Angeles, which has observed more than 22,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 including 1,056 deaths. Earlier, the criteria of testing were if one is exhibiting the symptoms, is an essential worker or is living in facilities, while everyone else was turned away.

But as of April 29, Los Angeles is providing all its residents with access to free novel coronavirus (COVID-19) testing- no matter whether they are exhibiting symptoms or not. This makes L.A. the first major U.S. city to do so, taking a step towards the mass testing step employed by countries like South Korea who have successfully flattened the rising peak of the pandemic.

The decision was declared by Los Angeles’ Mayor Eric Garcetti during his recent, daily press conference. "Tonight I am so proud to announce that Los Angeles will become the first major city in America to honor widescale testing to all residents with or without symptoms," Garcetti said, adding that testing was "essential" to learn more about the virus.

"Moving forward, in the city of Los Angeles, you'll be able to — if you have symptoms or not — get tested," he said. While those exhibiting the symptoms of COVID-19 will still get priority, but the testing capacity has been increased to allow anyone to get tested if they want to be.

"These tests are free for the public," the mayor, adding that the test is open to even those who just want to get it done for their peace of mind. "You can't put a price on the peace of mind of knowing that you can't infect somebody around you.”