What to know about COVID-19 testing in Houston, Harris County
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- According to the Harris County Public Health website there have been more than 29,000 COVID-19 cases reported in Houston and Harris County area. Here is the list of testing sites for this week, June 29 - July 4.
What is the process?
First you have to complete a brief screening process. Some are completed online, others you can call the clinic or testing site and they will ask you a series of questions. After, you can set up an appointment or find the nearest testing site.
Since Memorial Day, the number of COVID-19 cases in Texas has increased. The state saw single-day records of cases three days in a row last week. To combat the spike in cases, Gov. Greg Abbott ordered the closing of bars on Friday and scaled back restaurant capacity to 50 percent, after first deciding to reopen them in phases in May.
Some people have reported waiting in lines for hours or going to sites where they have run out of tests.
As of this Monday morning, the City of Houston reported 63,496 tests have been collected at the Houston Health Department FEMA-affiliated testing sites at Butler Stadium and Delmar Stadium. About 35,000 additional tests have occurred through its partnered sites. It's important to note that these numbers do not include tests conducted by third party or commercial labs.
Recently, the two Houston Health Department testing sites at Butler Stadium and Delmar Stadium have reached capacity before noon daily, each site administering 500 tests a day.
Harris County and Houston-area testing sites can be found on their website.
HARRIS COUNTY Q&A'S
Are there any testing sites in Harris County that are running out of test or are reaching capacity?
According to the county, all public county-issued testing sites are being booked to capacity within the first few hours of the call center opening.
How many tests are available at the testing sites?
"We currently can swab 2,300 people a day at our six testing sites: two stationary sites operated by FEMA and four mobile sites Harris County Public Health operates. However, since the demand is so great, some sites are swabbing additional people."
Is the county seeing an increase in demand for testing?
"Definitely."
What challenges has the county been facing when it comes to testing?
"Currently, we have more demand than capacity and are looking at ways to expand our capacity. Labs to process the tests are also overwhelmed and sometimes that causes delays in people getting their test results."
Anyone, regardless of symptoms, may receive a free COVID-19 test at the City of Houston's drive-thru testing sites. Call 832-393-4220 for access code and directions to nearest site.
SEE ALSO:
What you need to know about COVID-19 testing in Houston
Mayor calls for continued federal support as COVID-19 cases increase
