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California signs deal to more than double coronavirus testing capacity

Businesses consider testing employees to get them back to work
Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Ted S. Warren/AP
Businesses consider testing employees to get them back to work
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SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- California Gov. Gavin Newsom says the state has signed a contract worth up to $1.4 billion with a company that will more than double the state's daily coronavirus testing capacity.

Right now, California averages about 100,000 tests per day, with the state paying $100 per test and results taking between five and seven business days.

Newsom said the state's new contract with Massachusetts-based PerkinElmer will increase the state's testing capacity to 250,000 per day by March 1 with each test costing about $31. Results would come within two days.

The contract will initially cost the state $100 million, with a maximum amount of $1.4 billion.

Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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