Free, less invasive COVID-19 tests at Minute Maid Park

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Sunday, August 9, 2020
Minute Maid Park's mega testing site opens today
Officials hope the large-scale site at the home of the Astros will enable 2,000 tests to be performed a day.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- As the city of Houston deals with the COVID-19 crisis, which has surpassed 52,000 cases within city limits, one of Houston sports monuments will stage a large-scale free test site beginning on Saturday.

Minute Maid Park, home of the Houston Astros, has been tapped by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to facilitate a coronavirus testing site, with the hopes to process 2,000 tests a day.

According to Gov. Abbott's office, the site will be open seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The site will boast eight drive-thru lanes and four walk-up lanes. No appointment is required. People may show up at their convenience and will be walked through the process of registering online.

The inside of your mouth will be swabbed, instead of your nose, after many people expressed anxiety about the invasive nasal test.

READ ALSO: What you need to know about COVID-19 testing in Houston

Officials at the test site told ABC13, results can be expected between 72 and 96 hours. Some people have gotten them as soon as 48 hours after getting tested.

Spanish-speaking staff will be on site, and no healthcare provider will be required for test administration.

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