GALVESTON COUNTY EXPANDS TESTING CAPABILITIES
GALVESTON COUNTY, TX – Four new COVID-19 testing sites will be available to Galveston County residents starting next week. Two sites will remain open for the foreseeable future while the two others will be one day temporary sites. These additional testing locations are in addition to testing already in operation by the Galveston County Health District (GCHD).
As of Thursday, April 30th, Galveston County has tested over 16,000 residents – equating to about 5% of the county’s total population. Based on per capita testing, Galveston County is leading with one of the highest testing rates in the country due to a partnership between the GCHD and the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB) which has given county residents access to a test internally developed by UTMB.
Galveston County Judge Mark Henry and the GCHD have been working with private medical providers to expand testing to residents who have insurance coverage. Under the CARES Act passed by Congress and signed by President Trump in March, all private insurance companies along with Medicare and Medicaid are required to cover testing for COVID-19. Individuals in Galveston County who are uninsured will be directed to register for testing with the GCHD.
HCA Houston Healthcare Mainland will be announcing appointment only drive-thru testing at their hospital located in Texas City expecting to start Wednesday, May 6th. Registration will begin Monday, May 4th and registration information will be provided to county residents by the Galveston County Office of Emergency Management.
CommunityER Houston in partnership with Kenny Isbell of Apache Commodities Group Inc., will be setting up an appointment only drive-thru testing location in League City at Clear Creek Intermediate School that will be opening Wednesday, May 6th. Registration to be tested at this site is now open. Details on how to register for testing are below:
Where: Creekside Intermediate School
4320 W. Main St., League City, Texas 77573
When: Daily beginning Wednesday, May 6th, 2020
Time: Appointments available daily from 9:00am – 12:00pm
To Register: Visit www.CommunityERHouston.com and click on “Get Tested” and choose “Clear Lake Location” or residents can call to register at: (281) 453-7777
Cost: Insurance Required or Cash Pay Available. Those without Insurance are encouraged to contact the Galveston County Health District at (409) 938-7221
Under Governor Abbott’s directive to expand testing across the state, the Texas National Guard will be setting up two single day testing locations on Wednesday, May 6th. Galveston County was identified as one of the Texas counties eligible for testing through Governor’s Abbott’s testing and contact tracing program managed by the Texas Department State Health Services. The first testing site will be located at Bayshore Park in Bacliff and the second will be located at the Galveston County Fairgrounds in Hitchcock. Registration to be tested at these sites opens on Monday, May 4th. More details on these two testing sites is below:
Where: Galveston County Fairgrounds
10 Jack Brooks Road, Hitchcock, Texas 77563
When: May 6th, 2020
Time: 9:00am – 6:00pm
To Register: Visit www.TXcovidtest.org or call 512-883-2400
Cost: Free – No Insurance Needed
Where: Galveston County Bayshore Park
5437 E. FM 646, Bacliff Texas
When: May 6th, 2020
Time: 9:00am – 6:00pm
To Register: Visit www.TXcovidtest.org or call 512-883-2400
Cost: Free – No Insurance Needed
The partnership between the GCHD and UTMB has been crucial in fighting the spread of COVID-19 and Galveston County is grateful to have UTMB in its backyard to help on the front lines. With the added efforts of HCA Houston Healthcare Mainland and Community ER as well as Governor Abbott’s testing and contract tracing program, Galveston County will continue to be a model for COVID-19 testing in Texas and across the country.
“As we move forward, increased access to testing is key to slowing the spread of COVID-19 and ultimately getting Texas back to work. Partnering with private medical providers like HCA and Community ER to increase our testing capabilities to the already great efforts of the GCHD and UTMB provides a model for other jurisdictions on proactive measures we can take at the local level to increase testing capabilities.” said Galveston County Judge Mark Henry. Judge Henry anticipates the county will see additional sites open throughout the county in the weeks to come.
“We are very happy to see increased opportunities for testing in Galveston County.” said Galveston County Local Health Authority Dr. Phillip Keiser.