California begins to increase COVID-19 testing capacity | Jonathan Wosen

<p>California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday that the state has contracted with a diagnostics company to conduct up to 150,000 more COVID-19 tests a day.</p><p>Under the contract, the state will build a testing laboratory and provide some testing equipment, such as supplies to collect and transport specimens, according to Health and Human Services Agency Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly.</p><p>The company, PerkinElmer, will process and report back test results within 48 hours, but the company will not collect the actual nasal swabs. That will happen at state testing sites.</p><p>Dr. Wilma Wooten, San Diego County’s public health officer, welcomed the deal, set to begin in eight to 10 weeks</p>