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Thursday, Mar 28, 2024

COVID Test Lab in Santa Clarita

The state earlier this month entered into a partnership with Massachusetts-based life science giant PerkinElmer to open a testing lab in Valencia, doubling its COVID-19 testing capacity. Once the site opens on Nov. 1, the state’s testing capacity will increase to more than 250,000 tests per day and will be open to all hospitals. Currently, private and public labs process more than 100,000 tests for COVID-19 every day in California, according to the state’s announcement of the deal. Flu testing will be done at the site too, alongside COVID-19. According to a statement from the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corp., the state is in final lease negotiations with Livingston Technology Park at 28454 Livingston Ave. in Valencia for the testing site. The property boasts a 134,287-square-foot facility, with 12,000 square feet devoted to clean room space. In addition to the number of tests conducted, turaround time for results is expected to get better. Right now, those that get the test to determine whether they currently have the virus, referred to as a diagnostic test, wait anywhere from five to seven days for results. When the Valencia site opens, that wait time will be shortened to 24 to 48 hours. Testing costs are expected to decrease — each test averages $150 to $200 currently. “This testing lab is a welcome addition to our growing medtech sector here in the Santa Clarita Valley,” Holly Schroeder, chief executive of SCVEDC, said in a statement. “They will be able to draw from our highly educated talent pool as they begin their hiring process.”

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