BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Kern County 5th District Supervisor Leticia Perez is set to host a press conference Monday morning for the soft opening of a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site in East Bakersfield.

This is not a public opening, and the staff will be testing medical staff from Centric Health.

This location at the Richard Prado Senior Center on 2101 Ridge Road is the only drive-thru, free testing site in Kern County and aims to provide desperately needed testing to the East Bakersfield community.

This location is operated through a partnership with CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort) and Verily.

Speakers at Monday's press conference will include Supervisor Perez, senior leadership from CORE, Verily staff, Good Samaritan Hospital leadership, and Emergency Operations Center staff.

The press conference starts at 9 a.m. at the Richard Prado Senior Center.