Officials say the first day of COVID-19 testing at the only county-supported drive-thru site in Fort Bend was a smooth success.
The county opened the site to healthcare professionals and first responders for a soft launch on Monday and conducted 30 tests that day, according to Yaneth Calderon, public health information specialist for the Fort Bend County Health and Human Services. The site opened to the general public on Tuesday and tested a total of 75 people, Calderon said.
COVID-19 TESTS: Fort Bend's first county-supported COVID-19 testing site is now open
According to the Houston Chronicle's data team, there are 138 confirmed coronavirus cases in Fort Bend County.
The county-supported site is offering free tests, but only those who have been approved through an online screening tool and those who are at higher risk for COVID-19 will be tested. People who are at high risk for the virus include people aged 60 years and older, people living in nursing homes, people with chronic lung disease or severe asthma and people who have serious heart conditions.
Calderon said there was no wait time on Tuesday because the site is run by appointment only. The site is able to conduct 100 tests per day.
ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Coronavirus live updates: Houston could hit peak by May
"It's been smooth sailing," Calderon said. "We haven’t had any people randomly show up, which is good."
The site is open for testing 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The county has not publicized the address in an effort to ensure only approved patients show up at the site.
Calderon said those who want to get tested but do not have access to the Internet can start the screening process by calling the county phone bank at 281-633-7795. Soon, residents will be able to see how many people were tested at the site each day on the county's COVID-19 response hub. Calderon said once it is launched, the numbers will be updated at 5 p.m. every day.
Two other testing sites are currently open in Fort Bend. These are not county-supported sites and are run by private clinics and hospitals.
Oakbend Medical Group opened the first drive-thru COVID-19 testing site on Friday in Richmond. Only patients who have had a telehealth visit can be tested and tests run $140, but some insurance companies cover that cost. The site is currently open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. To schedule a telehealth visit, call 281-238-7870.
A second COVID-19 testing site opened Tuesday at the Smart Financial Center in Sugar Land. Tests at this site are free and health insurance is not required. The site is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Rebecca Hennes covers community news. Read her on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, houstonchronicle.com. | rebecca.hennes@chron.com
"smooth" - Google News
April 02, 2020
https://ift.tt/2QZGyVh
Fort Bend officials report smooth first day at sole county-supported COVID-19 testing site - Houston Chronicle
"smooth" - Google News
https://ift.tt/30JhCVH
Shoes Man Tutorial
Pos News Update
Meme Update
Korean Entertainment News
Japan News Update
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Fort Bend officials report smooth first day at sole county-supported COVID-19 testing site - Houston Chronicle"
Post a Comment