Registration for Irvine’s newly announced free COVID-19 drive-up testing is now “Fully Booked,” according to social media posts.

 

In an Instagram post Sunday, July 12, the city of Irvine wrote to followers, indicating that a “significant” number of registration had been filed with Curogram, the third party conducting the sample collection, and those appointments will be processed before more can be accommodated.

The Instagram post read:

“On Friday, the City of Irvine announced its month long drive-up COVID-19 testing program. Since then, we have received a significant amount of registrations, and Curogram is now closed to new registrations. If you have yet to select an appointment time but have started your registration process, please know Curogram is verifying information in the order of registration. Once your residency or employment verification is complete, you will receive an opportunity to select an appointment. This may take several days as they are processing participants in order of registration. Thank you for your patience.”

Some social media users expressed frustration regarding the quickness at which the city’s free testing program filled up. Irvine responded to some users, explaining that the testing program had a capacity of less than 300 tests per day. In response to Instagram user @dhieloc’s comments, the city of Irvine responded:

“Our City Council approved a month long program with the ability to conduct anywhere from 200-260 tests per lane, per day. Should the City Council approve, the City could add additional lanes for tests. As you can imagine, rolling out a testing program is a massive undertaking, one that no other Orange County city has offered to its constituents. We hear you and understand your frustrations. Please know we are working hard to offer unparalleled services to our residents.”

On Friday, July 10, Irvine became the first city in Orange County to announce it would provide a month-long, free COVID-19 testing program to residents and workers within the city. In a tweet Friday, July 10, the city of Irvine provided details on its free COVID-19 testing program which will be held at the Orange County Great Park.

In May, the Irvine City Council cancelled a $95,000 testing program, citing accuracy concerns.

It is unclear how long Irvine residents or employees within the city will need to wait for the city’s drive-up testing program to reopen for registration.

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