Harris County Expands COVID-19 Testing Capacity with 2 Additional Pop-up Locations, Doubles Testing Capacity at Existing Sites
Harris County to Deploy Mobile Units toIncrease Reach Deep into All Precincts, Conduct up to 1,200 Tests Per DayAcross County
Harris County, Texas - Monday, April 13, 2020, County Judge Lina Hidalgo today announced two new Harris County Public Health (HCPH) mobile units will provide drive-through testing for COVID-19, adding up to 200 tests per day to the county’s current testing capacity. Each pop-up site, which will rotate locations across the precincts starting Tuesday, will be able to up to 100 drive-through tests per day. Additionally, testing capacity at HCPH’s two existing stationary sites will increase to 500 tests per location, per day, starting Wednesday.
“Until we make testing accessible to everyone who needs it, we will not be able to fully tackle this disease in Harris County,” said Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo. “These efforts are a key step forward, but they’re not enough. We have to be nimble. We have to reach underserved communities and expand our ability to help folks identify if they are sick, and isolate immediately.”
The pop-up testing locations were identified in coordination with Harris County Precincts. To be tested, residents must complete online screening via ReadyHarris.org and obtain an authorization code. Once confirmed they meet the criteria for testing, residents will be provided an appointment time and directed to a testing site closest to them. Walk-ins will be turned away.
Testing sites will be allocated to the precincts from Monday through Saturday, spending three days in two precincts, and three days in the other two precincts.All individuals can access the online screening tool at readyharris.org. Individuals without access to a computer or Internet can call the Harris County Public Health COVID-19 resource line at 832-927-7575.
Judge Hidalgo will be available for interviews from 5:30 p.m. -7:30 p.m. today, Monday, April 13, 2020 at Houston Transtar. Media is asked to call Melissa at 713-303-3010 to schedule a time.
(NOTE: The health departments respectfully ask news media to refrain from showing close images of the centers when they are operational to protect patient privacy and prevent possible infection. Doing so may lead people to being identified and discourage symptomatic people from participating, furthering the spread of COVID-19 in our community.)
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo is the head of Harris County’s governing body and Director of the Harris County’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Judge Hidalgo, alongside four County Precinct Commissioners, oversees a budget of approximately $5 billion that funds services and institutions for the third-largest county in the nation, home to nearly 5 million people. For more information about Harris County and the Office of the County Judge, please visit: cjo.harriscountytx.gov.